Description

Early 19th century. 4-storey, 5-bay corner Classical tenement with 6-storeys to rear at The Green (S elevation). Grey granite ashlar, rubble to rear. Principal (N) elevation with band course, cill course to top storey, cornice. Central pilastered doorpiece with consoled balustraded balcony above. Central coped wallhead stacks to N and W. Some round-arched openings to E. Curved corner to S with oval oriel window at 4th storey.

Predominantly plate glass timber sash and case windows to upper storeys, plate glass to shops. Wallhead and corner stacks.

Statement of Interest

Situated at the junction of Union Street and Correction Wynd, this is an early example of a classical tenement which forms an essential part of the planned streetscape of Union Street. Situated on steeply sloping ground it was a significant engineering achievement to produce a building which functions on 2 levels: Union Street and the much lower The Green. The simple classical style is typical of granite buildings of this period before sophisticated cutting techniques were developed. Planned as the major thoroughfare in an increasingly wealthy and confident city, Union Street was a bold and confident project which required major engineering to complete. The buildings which aligned the street had to reflect this sense of grandeur and confidence as the visual appearance of the street was of the utmost importance.

Union Street was developed after 1794, when a town council meeting asked the engineer Charles Abercrombie to find a way to connect the original steep, haphazard network of Medieval streets of Aberdeen to the surrounding countryside. His plan was for two streets, one of which would run from Castlegate to the Denburn and the other which would run from the Castlegate to the North of the town. The former became Union Street. This was a particularly difficult project to complete as the street had to cut through St Katherine's Hill at the East end and be built on a series of arches culminating with a large bridge at the Denburn. The street was to be lined with classical buildings, but the initial idea of having a long, uniform classical design that each new house would have to conform to was abandoned, as it was realised that different purchasers would require some control over the design Some variety was therefore conceded. This variety had, however, to conform to the 'uniformity and regularity of the street' and that between each crossroads, the houses had to be the same height, the same number of storeys (4) and have the same pitch of roof.

Part of B Group with Nos 5-53, 67-89, 95-139, 143-153 (odd nos) Union Street, Nos 26-42, 46-62, 78-106, 114-144 (even nos) Union Street and St Nicholas Churchyard.

Reference from previous list description: Directories.

Category changed from B to C(S), 2007.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56625163

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

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