Description

A H L Mackinnon, 1896. 2-storey and attic, 3-bay villa. Coursed rough-faced grey granite, finely finished to margins at NE elevation; Aberdeen bond granite to remainder. Base course; chamfered reveals; string course.

NE (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: asymmetrical; deeply chamfered and roll-moulded doorway with decorative scroll stop-chamfers flanking steps, 2-leaf panelled timber door, leaded fanlight, window to centre of 1st floor; tripartite window to ground floor of bay to left, with stepped hoodmould, bipartite window to 1st floor; gabled bay advanced to right, 3-light canted window to ground floor, tripartite window with hoodmould to 1st floor, bipartite window set in gablehead.

NW ELEVATION: asymmetrical; canted bay advanced to left, irregular fenestration to remainder, single storey and attic wing adjoining to right, doorway to ground floor.

SW ELEVATION: asymmetrical; wing advanced to gabled bay to left, window off-centre to attic floor behind; gabled bay to right, later canted window to ground floor, bipartite window to 1st floor.

SE ELEVATION: asymmetrical; gabled bay to right, irregular fenestration to left.

Predominantly 2-pane timber sash and case windows, decoratively leaded upper sashes to ground floor at NE. Green-grey slate roof with lead ridges. Coped stone skews with blocked skewputts. Coped and corniced wallhead, gablehead and ridge stacks with circular cans.

INTERIOR: subdivided into flats. Not seen 2000.

GATEPIERS AND BOUNDARY WALLS: channelled square-plan ashlar gatepiers to NE, with low rough-faced granite wall between; brick and granite coped rubble wall to remainder.

Statement of Interest

From the beginning of the 19th century Aberdeen rapidly expanded westwards from Union Street. 3 Rubislaw Den North is part of the late 19th century development W of Queen's Cross. Rubislaw Den North runs almost parallel to Queen's Road (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 Skene Road and sold off the estate in smaller plots. Streets became wider and villas with substantial gardens often replaced terraces. Prestigious architects, such as A H L Mackinnon, were often employed to produce bold and unusual designs to reflect the wealth and individuality of the clients. 3 Rubislaw Den North was built for William Mackinnon, a stockbroker. It is a simple, well detailed building with particularly fine gatepiers.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56625435

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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  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  For the Record
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  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
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  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)