Description

Matthews and Mackenzie, 1892. 2-storey and attic, 2-bay villa. Rough-faced coursed grey granite with finely finished pink granite margins to S elevation; Aberdeen bond rubble to remainder. Base course; pink granite band, cill and lintel courses; eaves course; overhanging eaves; architraved openings to S elevation.

S (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: asymmetrical; bipartite windows to ground and 1st floors of bay to left, gableted bipartite dormer to attic floor above; pedimented bay to right advanced, tripartite windows to ground and 1st floors.

E (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: asymmetrical; lean-to wing advanced to centre, flat-roofed open porch supported on Tuscan column to left at ground floor, panelled timber door flanked by glazed panels and letterbox fanlight to left return; irregular fenestration to remainder, service wing adjoining to outer right.

N ELEVATION: 3-light canted window through ground and 1st floors of bay to right, regular openings to remainder; wing adjoining to outer left; 3 irregularly placed modern skylights to attic floor.

W ELEVATION: symmetrical; gabled; blind openings to left and right of ground floor, window to centre of 1st floor.

Predominantly 2-pane timber sash and case windows. Grey slate roof with pierced terracotta ridge. Corniced gablehead stacks with circular cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: not seen 2000.

GATEPIERS AND BOUNDARY WALLS: square-plan granite ashlar gatepiers to S with pyramidal caps, low coped ashlar walls between; brick and granite coped rubble walls to remainder.

Statement of Interest

From the beginning of the 19th century Aberdeen rapidly expanded westwards from Union Street. 26 Rubislaw Den South is part of the later 19th century development W of Queen's Cross. Rubislaw Den South 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 Matthews and Mackenzie, were often employed to produce bold and unusual designs to reflect the wealth and individuality of the clients. Features of note at 26 Rubislaw Den South (which was built for John Bruce) include the unusually detailed architraves to the S elevation.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17769805

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

• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets