Description

John Rust, 1895; later additions and alterations George Bennett Mitchell & Sons, 1933. 2-storey, basement and attic, 4-bay double villa converted to single villa by G B Mitchell, 1933. Tooled coursed grey granite with contrasting light grey finely finished margins to SE elevation; Aberdeen bond granite rubble to remainder. Base course; architraved dressings to SE elevation; kneelered gables to SE elevation.

SE (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: near-symmetrical; pair of pilastered doorpieces to centre 2 bays of ground floor, supporting corniced entablatures, stones steps flanked by railings to door to left, basket-arched doorway, panelled timber door flanked by glazed panels and letterbox fanlight, bipartite infill to former doorway to right, window to basement; regular fenestration to 1st floor, pair of gableted dormers to attic floor, with stone finials. Gabled bays advanced to left and right, 3-light canted windows through basement, ground and 1st floors with parapet forming balcony to attic floor, basket-arched openings to ground floor; gableted window set in gablehead to attic; stone finial to apex of gable.

NE ELEVATION: gabled to right; windows to centre of each floor, round-arched to attic.

NW ELEVATION: gabled harled 2-storey and attic dormitory addition advanced to centre, G B Mitchell, 1933; gabled bays flanking to left and right with regular fenestration.

SW ELEVATION: gabled to left; window to centre of each floor, round-arched to attic.

Predominantly 2-pane and 4-pane timber sash and case windows. Grey slate roof with lead ridges. Coped stone skews with beaked and blocked skewputts. Coped gablehead stacks with octagonal cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods with decorative hoppers.

INTERIOR: decoratively tiled entrance porch; 2-leaf panelled timber door with etched glass upper panels, and etched glass panels flanking and to fanlight, decorative double cornice and ceiling rose; cornices to principal rooms and some mouldings survive; staircase with iron balusters

GATEPIERS AND BOUNDARY WALLS: square-plan gatepiers to SE, surmounted by pyramidal caps (shared with adjacent properties); low rough-faced granite coped wall between; granite and brick coped walls to remainder.

Statement of Interest

From the beginning of the 19th century Aberdeen rapidly expanded westwards from Union Street. 8 Queen's Road is part of the later 19th century development W of Queen's Cross. Queen's Road is on the site of Skene Road, which was originally surrounded by the estate of Rubislaw. In 1877 Rubislaw Estate was bought by the City of Aberdeen Land Association, who re-aligned the road and sold off the estate in smaller plots. Streets became wider and villas with substantial gardens often replaced terraces. Prestigious architects, such as John Rust (the City Architect), were often employed to produce bold and unusual designs to reflect the wealth and individuality of the clients. 8 Queen's Road, originally a double villa, was designed for Alexander Keith, a grain merchant. The design appears to be a variation on the design of 2 and 4 Queen's Road, which were probably also by John Rust. Features of particular note include the fine entrance hall, pilastered doorways, gableted windows to the attic floor and the kneelered gables. Currently in use by the SYHA.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56625419

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.

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