15-16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

Robert Adam, 1791; largely built 1803-7; early 20th century attics. Symmetrical 3-storey basement and attic 17-bay neo-classical palace block formerly consisting of 6 individual houses; 1 of pair flanking former St George's church (now West Register House, see separate listing). Polished cream sandstone ashlar. Rock-faced basement; V-jointed rustication at ground floor with impost course where appropriate; cill course to 1st and 2nd floors; cornice and blocking course.

E (CHARLOTTE SQUARE) ELEVATION: slightly projecting 5-bay centrepiece with tetrastyle porch at centre (with single door remaining, formerly pair) surmounted by large tripartite window with Ionic columns and massive glazed fanlight, outer bays flanked by Ionic columns with balustrades between column bases; fluted frieze with blank panel at centre. End pavilions with giant pilasters to upper floors; arched tripartite doorways to inner bays (original metal fanlight to No 17); at 1st floor, tripartite window at centre in round-arched recess; pyramidal roof to N Pavilion, S pavilion with full pilastered attic storey. Inner 3 bays arcaded at ground with rectangular windows and arched tripartite doorways. Ashlar attic also added at No 16, continuous slate hung corniced attics at Nos 13, 14 and 15.

Irregular gabled rubble end elevations, that to S with later timber oriel at centre. Full attic storey to rear. No 17 with rebuilt canted rear elevation, and link to 2- and 3-storey offices.

Timber 12-pane sash and case windows; centrepiece and S pavilion at 1st floor with 15-pane. Corniced ashlar stacks; grey slates.

INTERIOR: No 17 has enriched ceilings to former Dining and Drawing Rooms. Remainder unseen 1995.

10-18 RANDOLPH LANE: Mews to 15-17 Charlotte Square. 2-storey ranges set at oblique angle, linked by high rubble screen wall with scooped coping. Forestair to S block with M-gabled N return elevation and 1st floor bipartites to E. Forecourt with semicircular coped rubble screen wall. N range with obliquely angled W gable and run of garage doors to N below regular timber 12-pane sash and case windows. All with stone stacks and grey slates.

RAILINGS, LAMP STANDARDS AND BOUNDARY WALLS: cast-iron spearhead railings and original lamp standards; rubble boundary walls to rear.