Description

Wardrop and Reid, 1882-83 remodelling of circa 1840 building. 2-storey and basement and attic; 3-bay; rectangular-plan; classical/Jacobean office building with Dutch gable, pedimented dormers and Doric porches to principal (N) elevation. Sandstone ashlar with polished ashlar dressings to principal elevation; stugged and rubble side elevations; harled rear (S) elevation. Base course, band course between ground and 1st floors and eaves band and moulded cornice to principal and part of side elevations; balustraded parapet and raised quoins to principal elevation. Architraved openings throughout.

N (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: projecting Dutch gabled entrance bay to right. Steps up to adjoining pair of entrances (that to right now a window); each with Doric porch (entablature supported on pair of columns with pilasters set back flanking entrances). 2-leaf panelled timber door. Ground floor window to central bay; canted 3-light window to left; pilastered mullions and flanking pilasters. Single window with frieze and cornice to each bay to 1st floor; apron to central one. Pilastered dormer with broken bed pediment to each bay above; thistle, shamrock and rose motifs to pediments. Ornate pilastered 3-stage Dutch gable with semicircular pediment to right bay. Angle piers surmounted by urns.

W ELEVATION: 2 gable-ended sections and slightly lower section to right; left gable is shaped and flanked by angle piers surmounted by urns. Central entrance to left section; late 20th century part-glazed door with rectangular fanlight; narrow window to right to ground and 1st floors. 6-light stair window to left of central section.

S ELEVATION: 2 gable-ended sections. 2 bays to left and one to right. Single window to each bay to basement, ground and 1st floors. Small basement window between 2nd and 3rd bays.

E ELEVATION: adjoins adjacent library via late 20th century enclosed walkway at 1st floor level.

Mainly 2-light timber sash and case windows. Grey slate roof. Pair of flanking ashlar wallhead stacks incised like pilasters with friezes and moulded cornices to E and W elevations. Cans mostly missing.

INTERIOR: retains original staircase with decorative cast-iron balusters and coloured and leaded glass stair windows and coloured and leaded glass stair window.

Statement of Interest

It was remodelled as offices following its purchase by the Commercial Bank of Scotland in 1883. In 1905 it was purchased by the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust for use as its headquarters and in 1952 sold to Dunfermline Town Council.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17816384

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

• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)