Description

W Henderson & Son, 1907; later additions and alterations. Tooled coursed grey granite to ground floor of N elevation, rubble to 1st floor and remaining elevations, finely finished to margins. Rough-faced base course; contrasting light grey granite long and short dressings, chamfered margins to 1st floor of N elevation; dividing string course; queenpost detail to gableheads; overhanging eaves with timber bargeboards.

N (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: symmetrical; gableted bay to centre, flat-roofed porch to ground floor, 2-leaf panelled timber door reached by stone steps, leaded fanlight; recessed 1st floor with window to centre; gabled bays clasping porch to left and right, 3-light canted window to ground floor of each with parapet forming balcony to 1st floor, tripartite windows with hoodmoulds to 1st floor. 2-storey wing adjoining to outer right (see below).

W ELEVATION: gabled; predominantly obscured by 2-storey wing, glazed ground floor with simple pilasters to outer left and right, channelled rustication; 3-light windows to left return at 1st floor.

S ELEVATION: asymmetrical; flat-roofed addition to ground floor of centre bay, 2-light stair windows above; 5-light canted window with piended slate roof to ground floor of bay to left, bipartite window to 1st floor, piend-roofed tripartite window attic floor; substantial wing advanced to bay to right, irregular fenestration, carved plaque to left return depicting Christ, reading "EGO SUM LUX MUNDI (therefore I am the light of the world).

E ELEVATION: gabled; piend-roofed rectangular-plan ingleneuk advanced to right of ground floor, irregular fenestration to remainder; wing adjoining to outer left.

Predominantly timber sash and case windows; delicately leaded upper panes to N elevation, some leaded panes to remainder. Piended and gabled slate roof with lead ridges, slate ventilators to rear pitch. Coped gablehead stacks with octagonal cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: not seen 2000.

GATEPIERS AND BOUNDARY WALLS: low coped ashlar walls to N, flanked by square-plan gatepiers and high walls stepped-up to NW; rubble walls to remainder.

Statement of Interest

From the beginning of the 19th century Aberdeen rapidly expanded westwards from Union Street. 21 Rubislaw Den North is part of the late 19th/early 20th 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, were often employed to produce bold and unusual designs to reflect the wealth and individuality of the clients. Of particular note at 21 Rubislaw Den North are the delicately leaded upper panes to the windows of the principal elevation.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56625442

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

• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)