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Summary

Description

James Hamilton, 1876; alterations earlier 20th century. Symmetrical 4-storey with attic, 7-bay French Baroque style tenement forming part of terrace with shops at ground. Prominent stylised giant order pilasters grouping bays 1-1-3-1-1. Coursed yellow sandstone ashlar; raised polished dressings. Raised base course; architraved cill courses (corbelled at 2nd floor); architraved string courses; dentilled corniced eaves; balustraded attic. Segmental-arched pediments above Corinthian-columned 1st floor windows; consoled cornices to architraved 2nd floor windows; engaged Corinthian columns flanking architraved 3rd floor windows; consoled pediments surmounting round-arched attic windows. French-pavilion-roofs to outer left and right; round-arched pavilion roof at centre.

W (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: pend entrances to upper flats at ground in bays to left and right of centre; large blocked entrance at centre (original access to rear hall); pilastered shop premises in bay to outer left; boarded timber shop premises in bay to outer right. Regular fenestration; blind consoled segmental-arched attic window at centre; single attic windows in remaining bays to left and right. 2 oeil-de-beouf windows set in central round-arched tower; corniced parapet surmounting towers in bays to outer left and right.

Predominantly plate glass in timber sash and case windows (some later replacements). Graded grey slate roof; fish-scale slate detailing to French pavilion roofs. Corniced ashlar ridge and apex stacks; various circular cans.

Statement of Special Interest

Duncan's Halls is a distinctive tenement and former hall in a prominent position in the centre of Rothesay. The building displays an array of fine architectural motifs with pedimented windows, engaged columns, balustraded parapet and French-pavilion-roofs all making a significant contribution to the streetscape. Walker describes it as a "...palatial piece of French beaux-arts theatricality", highly appropriate for this sea side town. A large hall to the rear, subsequently a picture theatre and since demolished, was originally accessed from the central bay (now boarded up). The bold design and use of high quality materials, such as sandstone Ashlar for Duncan's Halls is particularly characteristic of this period of development in the town and can be seen in domestic architecture in the outlying residential areas.

Rothesay is one of Scotland's premier seaside resorts, developed primarily during the second half of the 19th and the early 20th centuries, and it incorporates an earlier medieval settlement. The town retains a wide range of buildings characteristic of its development as a high status 19th century holiday resort, including a range of fine villas, a Victorian pier and promenade.

The history and development of Rothesay is defined by two major phases. The development of the medieval town, centred on Rothesay Castle, and the later 19th and early 20th century development of the town as a seaside resort. Buildings from this later development, reflect the wealth of the town during its heyday as a tourist destination, and include a range of domestic and commercial architecture of a scale more often found in larger burghs. Both the 19th and early 20th century growth of the town, with a particular flourish during the inter-war period, included areas of reclaimed foreshore, particularly along the coast to the east of the town and around the pier and pleasure gardens.

James Hamilton was born circa 1826 and commenced in practice on his own in 1857. Initially Hamilton worked extensively in Glasgow, including on monuments in the Necropolis cemetery (see separate listing) and a Venetian inspired building at 37-51 Miller Street. He went on to undertake a number of commissions for the Ulster Bank and later opened a branch of the practice in Belfast.

(List description revised as part of Rothesay listing review 2010-11)

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