Description

John Tait, 1855 with some later additions at attic. Extensive terrace of 3-storey, basement and attic, 3-bay townhouses in Italianate classical style, with alternating recessed and advanced bays (arranged 6-5-6-3-6-6-6-3), set on ground falling to NE. Canted 6-bay block to left (No.3). Sandstone ashlar, channelled at ground floor. Entrance platts oversailing basement area recess to street. Banded base course; banded cill course at 1st floor and consoled balconies with geometric cast-iron balustrades; moulded cill course at 2nd floor; corniced and dentilled eaves course. Architraved doorways with predominantly timber 2-leaf, 6-panel doors and rectangular fanlights (some with geometric glazing pattern);. Moulded architraved 1st floor windows with triangular pediments; corniced to recessed bays. Deep bracketed cills to moulded architraved 2nd floor windows. Pedimented ashlar dormers at No. 10; further alterations to some attics

NE (REAR) ELEVATION: coursed squared rubble with some droved ashlar quoins, rybats cills and lintels. Roughly regular fenestration. Some full height 3-light canted bays. Some later single storey extensions.

Predominantly 8-pane glazing pattern in timber sash and case windows, 12-pane at basement and 2nd floor. Double pitched roof; grey slates. Corniced ashlar ridge stacks with octagonal clay cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Cast-iron railings edging basement area recess to street.

INTERIOR: (selection of interiors seen 2010) decorative classical scheme, characterised by intricate plasterwork, large drawing rooms and stone stairs with well-detailed balustrades; topped by large cupolas. Some later conversion to flats.

Statement of Interest

The design is a major example of the mid 19th century treatment of urban classical architecture with severe astylar Italiante detailing. Well-proportioned crescent of townhouses with good architectural detailing such as pedimented and corniced 1st floor windows. The terrace is sited prominently and lines one of the key routes into Edinburgh's New Town and makes a significant contribution to streetscape. The terrace is part of the early development of the West End of Edinburgh in the mid 19th century after the completion of the nearby Dean Bridge (see separate listing). It is an integral part of Edinburgh's New Town, which is an outstanding example of classical urban planning that was influential throughout Britain and Europe.

The terrace is the earliest phase of the long delayed residential expansion of the city in the late 19th century to the north of the Dean Bridge, following its completion in 1831-2. The bridge had been part funded by John Learmonth, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, who wanted to improve access to his land to the west of the Water of Leith to allow for further residential development. The delayed development of the area around Clarendon Crescent, Oxford Terrace and Eton Terrace forced Learmonth to sell the feus to the Heriot Trust.

John Tait designed Clarendon Crescent, Eton Terrace and Oxford Terrace on behalf of Learmonth, and his designs were retained following the transfer of the feus to the Heriot Trust. Tait was experienced in designing residential urban and suburban schemes having supervised Rutland Square (see separate listings) and worked on the feuing plan for Inverleith Terrace (see separate listings). Little is known about his architectural training, but his designs are marked by a refined use of restrained classicism. This contrasts with the bolder classical style of the mid to later nineteenth century, which was developed in other parts of the Learmonth estate, notably at Buckingham Terrace and Learmonth Terrace (see separate listings), both of which followed the development of Clarendon Crescent in the late 1850s and early 1860s.

(List description revised at resurvey 2012).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17569036

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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