Description

Earlier - mid 19th century. 2-storey symmetrical 4-bay U-plan classical villa. Polished sandstone ashlar, rusticated quoins to outer bays. Base course; dividing band course; eaves course; cornice; architraved windows.

W (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: outer bays advanced; doorcase in each of outer bays: pairs of square columns in front of pairs of pilasters flank 2-leaf door, 3 panels in each; entablature surmounted by a stone balustrade forming a balcony; single window to 1st floor above, bipartite windows to both floors of flanking bays. Recessed wing to left of main block contains single window.

2-pane timber sash and case windows. Grey slate piended roof with coped mutual and wallhead stacks, the former pierced by 3 arrow slits.

INTERIOR: not seen 1996.

BOUNDARY WALLS: low coped boundary wall to street with single gate piers at N and S ends. High coped rubble boundary walls to N and S.

Statement of Interest

Dr Benjamin Bell of Hunthill, an eminent Edinburgh surgeon and farmer, speculated on the potential for development in the lands of Newington. In 1806, aware of the demand for countrified dwellings near the city, he advertised his intention to sell 58 plots of land within his 8.5 acres. On his death in the same year his son George Bell, also a surgeon, inherited the land and, in 1825, commissioned James Gillespie Graham to design a plan for new streets within the grounds of Newington House, bounded by the back garden walls of Minto Street, Salisbury Road, East Mayfield and Dalkeith Road. Feus were offered for sale and Blacket Place began to take shape, the houses possibly being built speculatively by one builder or building company. Security was an important feature of the development, with Gothic gates, the octagonal piers of which survive, locked at night and single storey lodges at the entrances from Minto Street and Dalkeith Road.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17793087

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.

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