Description

Brown and Watt, 1900. 2-storey and attic, 3-bay villa. Tooled coursed grey granite ashlar with finely finished chamfered margins to S elevation; Aberdeen bond granite rubble to remainder. Base course; dividing string course forming 1st floor cill course; overhanging eaves with timber bargeboards and decorative carved timber details set in gableheads.

S (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: asymmetrical; round-arched bipartite window to centre bay at ground floor with oculus between, set in deeply chamfered segmental-arched recess, 1st floor above recessed, balcony enclosed by balustraded parapet glazed and panelled timber door to centre with small-pane fanlight, roof swept down above, rectangular dormer to attic floor; 5-light rectangular-plan window advanced to ground floor of bay to left, bipartite window to 1st floor, crenellated parapet with angle turret to outer left, oval openings to turret, flagpole surmounting, gableted bipartite dormer window to attic; chamfered outer left angle below turret, 3 vertical openings with ogee lintels and decorative glazing below corbels of turret; gabled bay slightly advanced to right, bipartite window to ground floor, tripartite window to 1st floor and attic floor.

E ELEVATION: gabled bay to left, window to left of 1st floor, tripartite window set in gablehead, 2-storey block advanced to centre and right bays, round-arched stained glass window to left of ground floor, irregular fenestration to remainder, chamfered round-arched doorway with keystone detail leading to open porch, panelled timber door flanked by stained glass panels and letterbox fanlight, blind tablet above doorway, bipartite window to 1st floor, crenellated parapet above.

N ELEVATION: not seen 2000.

W ELEVATION: asymmetrical; gabled; window to left of 1st floor; pair of windows set in gablehead.

Predominantly timber sash and case windows with small-pane upper sashes, PVCu windows to 1st floor of S elevation. Grey slate roof with lead ridges. Corniced wallhead and gablehead stacks and stacks breaking pitch, with circular cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: not seen 2000.

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

Statement of Interest

From the beginning of the 19th century Aberdeen rapidly expanded westwards from Union Street. 34 Rubislaw Den North is part of the late 19th/early 20th 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 Brown and Watt, were often employed to produce bold and unusual designs to reflect the wealth and individuality of the clients. Brown and Watt designed some of the most unusual houses is this area of Aberdeen, and 34 Rubislaw Den South is no exception. Baronial features such as the crenellated parapets and angle turrets are typical of Brown and Watt's architecture, as are the tiny windows with ogee lintels and decorative glazing.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17769821

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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  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
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  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)