Description

Possibly Robert Kay (see Notes), circa 1790. Row comprising 5 x 7-bay sections of mostly 3-storey and attic, 4-storey, or 4-storey and attic Classical tenements with shops to ground (some altered). Situated on steeply sloping ground and falling to 6 and 7 storeys at rear (Niddry Street). Pedimented, 7-storey and attic gable end at S (Cowgate). Ashlar, rubble to rear. Band courses, raised cills, cornice. Piended and canted dormers. Some shopfronts to W (South Bridge) with fluted timber Ionic pilasters, timber stallrisers and fascias. Applied, moulded architraves to window openings at Nos 19-29.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION: E Elevation (Niddry Street) with some round-arched openings to ground, occasional Venetian window to upper storeys. Some 3-light pedimented wallhead dormers with gable stacks.

S elevation with round-arched windows to 4th storey; pediment with central lunette window. Some blank windows.

Predominantly plate glass and 12-pane timber sash and case windows. Plate glass to ground. Grey Slates. Gable and wallhead stacks. Cast iron rainwater goods.

Statement of Interest

A Group with the South Bridge and Nos 4-13, 19-67 and 87-99 South Bridge and 9 and 10 Hunter Square and 107-108 South Bridge.

This row of simply detailed, late 18th century tenements is an integral component of the important 18th century planned streetscape of the South Bridge. The South Bridge was a major engineering feat, driven through and over one of the most populated sections of the city to provide a link between the expanding suburbs of the South side of the city and the High Street of the Old Town. The row contains a number of good quality shopfronts with carved timber detailing and these add significantly to the character of the streetscape of the bridge. The rear elevation to Niddry Street is particularly notable for its retention of original round-arched openings at ground level and for its occasional Venetian window. The height of the tenements is typical for the Old Town of Edinburgh. Originally 3-storeys in height at the South Bridge elevation, and with every 3rd block pedimented, some of the tenements had additional storeys added in the 19th century. These have not detracted from the visually cohesive intention of the original scheme. All have floors below the South Bridge level, ranging from 1 to 4 storeys, as the valley deepens.

In 1753, the South Bridge Act made provision for the building of a bridge to form a link between the North Bridge (see separate listing) and the newly expanding South side of the city. A group of Trustees was set up to oversee the project. These trustees planned to have unified facades down both sides of the bridge and a number of architects, including Robert Adam, put forward plans. The Adam scheme was for a grand, fully colonnaded street and it was rejected because of the expense of the scheme. The Edinburgh architect Robert Kay proposed a simpler plan and the Trustees asked that he consult with two other Edinburgh architects, John Baxter and John Brown. The final design, which is thought to be an combination of the different designs from these architects, was for terraces of simple Classical facades, punctuated with pediments and with round-arched arcading at ground level and plain rectangular windows above.

The A Group recognises the importance of the South Bridge and its associated streetscape buildings as being an outstanding and significant scheme in late 18th century town planning.

List description revised as part of the Edinburgh Holyrood Ward resurvey 2007-8.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56632191

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

• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings