Reservoir, 555 Castlehill, Edinburgh

The building is a former reservoir designed by Rendel and Beardmore, constructed between 1849 and 1850. It is a single-storey and basement rectangular-plan structure with nine bays facing Castlehill and seven bays facing Ramsay Lane. At the center of the north elevation, which faces Ramsay Garden, there is a three-stage Italianate tower topped with a balustraded parapet. The exterior features lightly stugged ashlar with polished dressings, a channelled basement on the north and east sides, and a swept cornice with a blocking course. The corners of the building and the tower are accentuated with long and short quoins, and the windows are set in tabbed surrounds.

On the south elevation (Castlehill), there is a slightly advanced bay on the left that contains a two-leaf timber door framed by a pedimented moulded surround. The east elevation (Ramsay Lane) has a modern vehicular entrance on the right. The north elevation (Ramsay Garden) showcases the three-stage tower with string courses separating the stages, long and short quoins, and round-arched windows on the third stage.

Inside, the reservoir is illuminated by a rectangular glazed cupola, and the roof is supported by timber beams and trusses resting on cast-iron columns.

Additionally, there is a curved ashlar-coped sandstone retaining wall with ashlar steps, decorative wrought-iron railings, and a balustrade featuring terracotta balusters. A bronze relief and plaque can be found on the outer right of the west wall, serving as a drinking fountain.