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Summary

Description

David Rhind, circa 1863, with later alterations. 3-storey, 3-bay near symmetrical, square-plan Italianate former bank with decoratively bracketed overhanging eaves and round-arched corniced 1st floor windows. Stugged cream sandstone ashlar with polished ashlar dressings; re-pointed squared rubble to sides. Base course; wide band course between ground and 1st floors; cill course to 2nd floor; corince course below bracketed eaves. Moulded surround to round-arched windows at 1st floor with panelled spandrels; moulded, shouldered architraves and corniced cills to 2nd floor windows; long and short quoins.

N (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: pilastered and corniced doorpiece at ground in bay to left of centre; 2-leaf timber panelled door with floreate carved lintel; rectangular fanlight with margin lights; window at each floor above. mutule corniced and pilastered modern shop window spanning bays to centre and right at ground; window at each floor in each bay above. 2 narrow lights to flat-roofed, slightly recessed, single storey bay to outer right.

E (SIDE) ELEVATION: 2-bay. 2 windows, set close in each bay at ground; window at each floor in each bay above. Paired wallhead stacks with coped and panelled parapet wall between above.

Modern shop window at ground to N elevation; 2-and 4-pane timber sash and case windows elsewhere. Roof material unseen; ashlar coped stacks to E; predominantly cast-iron rainwater goods.

Statement of Special Interest

Designed in the style of a 'mini palazzo' (Burgher) this former Commercial bank building commands a prominent site at the head of Albert Street, its decorative bracketed eaves adding interest to the streetscape. By 1847 Rhind had completed the Commercial Bank's headquarters in Edinburgh's George Street and has been awarded the commision to design the regional branches. The opulence of the George Street building set the tone for these later commissions and Rhind designed many branches in the Italian palazzo style. Previously on this site there existed a small court which was know as Parliament Close and where Orkney's own parliament was administered under early Scandinavian Law. It remained the centre of Kirkwall's public life until well into the 17th century. A photograph dating from the turn of the century shows the existence of wrought-iron railings around the periphery of the building with a pedestal lamp in the NE corner. This photograph also shows 2 corniced windows in the central and right bays of the ground floor.

References

Bibliography

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