Noranside House, Noranside

Noranside House is a late 18th-century villa, with additions made in 1799 and a substantial extension and alterations circa 1914 by Maclaren, Sons and Souter for use as a sanatorium. Further alterations occurred in the mid- to late-20th century. The house is rectangular in plan and symmetrical, set within a large estate, displaying a classical architectural style with a prominent pedimented central section and slightly advanced pedimented end pavilions. The walls are harled with raised painted margins, and feature architraved openings and straight, pilastered quoins. A base course, corniced eaves course, and blocking course run along the exterior.

The principal, southeast elevation presents a pilastered doorpiece at the centre, flanked by sidelights and a decorative semi-circular fanlight. Corniced windows are located at ground floor level in the bays flanking the entrance. The bays adjacent to the central section are slightly recessed, displaying round-arched openings at ground floor. The end pavilions feature pilastered, tripartite mullioned windows recessed within a plain round arch at ground floor, with bowed cast iron balconies above the first-floor openings; a blind opening is on the left side. Oculus windows are positioned within the pediments.

The southwest elevation is two stories high with two bays, and contains round-arched openings at ground floor. A mid-20th century single-story, L-shaped wing is adjoined to the left. The northwest (rear) elevation features a piended, advanced stair tower at the centre and irregular window placement. A circa 1914 single-story, piended-roof block extends from the house across its full width.

The northeast elevation is two stories high with a later, piended dormered attic breaking the wallhead and has four bays. A flat-arched window is flanked by round-arched openings at ground floor. A window opening to the right was enlarged to create an entrance. A first-floor window and an attic window, originally located to the right, were altered to doors in the mid-20th century and are accessed by metal stairs.

Predominantly 12-pane glazing is found in timber sash and case windows. The roof is piended and covered with grey slates, with a pitched roof over the end bays. Corniced ashlar ridge stacks are present. Curved cast iron railings with lamp standards flank the entrance steps.

The interior, observed in 2011, follows a decorative classical scheme characterised by quality plasterwork and timber detailing. A central half-turn staircase features stone steps and an anthemion cast-iron balustrade. A Venetian window between the ground and first floors is now enclosed by a late-20th century glazed roof. Curved staircases lead to the flanking wings. Decorative cornicing and plasterwork adorn the ceilings of the principal rooms and entrance hall. The interior includes mostly moulded timber architraves, some pilastered, corniced, and consoled doorpieces, with arched doorpieces containing decorative infills. Some panelled timber doors and timber window rybats are also present. Plaster panelling and a bowed north wall are present at ground floor to the east. A barrel-vaulted stone cellar with a flagstone floor is also included. Mid- to late-20th century interior remodelling has taken place.