Description

Early 19th century. 5-storey, 5-bay tenement with central Ionic columned and pedimented entrance leading to New Assembly Close. Shops to ground. Sandstone ashlar with raised cills. Half-blind openings at upper floors to central stair bay. Painted, double-height shop front at No 144 with Diocletian window at 1st floor, decorative spandrels and classical detailing. Pair of piended-roof dormers at outer bays.

Predominantly 12-pane timber sash and case windows. Scottish slate. Particularly broad brick and harled stacks with clay cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods.

Statement of Interest

No 142 and 144 is a key component of one of Edinburgh's most important streets. It was reconstructed after a fire destroyed the South side of the High Street between The Tron Kirk and Parliament House in 1824. The Classical pedimented entrance to New Assembly Close is of particular interest. The simple treatment to upper storeys provides an appropriate foil to the more elaborate buildings on the High Street, adding much to the Street's distinctive character. The building is part of a reconstructed planned run of tenements between No 126 and No 184 High Street.

The High Street is located at the heart of the Old Town and has World Heritage Site status. Historically the central focus of public, civic and commercial life within the city, the High Street contains many of Edinburgh's most distinguished buildings including St Giles Kirk and Parliament Hall (see separate listings). Its special architectural and historic interest as one of Edinburgh's primary thoroughfares is unparalleled.

List description updated at resurvey (2007/08).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17809266

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

• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House