Description

Matthew Steele and John Taylor 1936-7; altered by John Taylor 1938. 2- and 3-storey, 14-bay (bays grouped 3-8-3), Modern Movement block of flats with Art Deco references and traditional shop (John Taylor). Buff concrete blockwork with distinctive contrasting green banding below ground floor cills and at eaves.

NW (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: symmetrical. 3-storey, 3-bay piended pavilions to outer bays, each with door below 3 projecting horizontal strips giving way to full-height vertical stair window (that to left part-blocked), and regular fenestration to outer bays. Bays to outer left extending into tightly bowed corner (see below). Lower centre bays regularly-fenestrated except 3 bays to left at ground with in-canted centre door shop and bay 9 with single door at ground and small vertical window above.

NE (PROVIDENCE BRAE) ELEVATION: bowed bay to right with blocked opening at ground giving way to detailing as above (vertical window part-blocked), 2 openings to left at ground with single window to each floor above.

SW ELEVATION: blank elevation with low flat-roofed building adjoining at ground.

SE (REAR) ELEVATION: altered elevation with variety of elements including gabled outshots.

uPVC windows; horizontal glazing pattern retained at stair window. Grey slates. Concrete block stacks with some cans.

INTERIOR: No 5 - 7 Corvi's Restaurant with traditional fish and chip range and small fireplace.

Statement of Interest

Originally designed as a hotel for Captain Miller, this was Matthew Steele's last major commission, he died in 1937. Reminiscent of his earlier Modern Movement flats in Cadzow Crescent and Stewart Avenue, with flat roofs replaced by gently pitched roof, and cement render by concrete blocks. 1936 Town Council redevelopment plans for Seaview resulted in Captain Millers hotel design being extended westwards into a block of flats incorporating Bartolomeo Corvi's fish and chip restaurant (this by John Taylor), and terminating in the second balancing corner feature. Corvi's was built with a coal-fired range which the current (2003) owner remembers being taught how to light. Removal of the original crittal glazing has detached from the strong horizontal emphasis (still evident in the green banding) of Steel's design.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata IDs Q77780336 Q77780339 Q77780343 Q77780346

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

• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)