22, 24, 26 Castle Street, Edinburgh

1792-4; later 19th century additions and alterations. 3-storey basement and attic, 7-bay former pair of classical houses with flats above on corner site. Droved cream sandstone ashlar with polished dressings. V-jointed rustication at ground; long and short quoins frame each house; band course above 1st floor; eaves cornice. 9-panel common stair door with radiating fanlight; arched doorway to left (No 22) with pilasters and radiating fanlight; pair of elegant early 19th century bowed dormers (1 tripartite). 3 right bays (No 26) with canted shopfront built out at ground with cornice and blocking course; similar canted timber window at centre at 1st floor, and flanking windows architraved; late 19th century mansard roof with tripartite box dormer.

Timber sash and case windows; 12-pane to 4 S bays, 4-pane to N bays (plate glass to dormers). Ashlar coped skews; stone stack to S, rebuilt brick to N; grey slates.

INTERIOR: unseen 1995 (vacant), but interesting plasterwork and top-lit saloon to shop contemporary with 19th century alterations. No 22 has fined enriched ceiling to former Dining and Drawing Room (concentric ovals); original chimneypieces stolen.

RAILINGS AND LAMP STANDARDS: cast-iron spearhead railings and pair of original wrought-iron lamp standards to No 22.