Guardian Royal Exchange, 12, 13 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh

The Guardian Royal Exchange, located at 12 and 13 St Andrew Square in Edinburgh, is a significant Art Deco office building designed by Leslie Grahame Thomson and Frank J Connell between 1938 and 1940. This massive five-storey structure is arranged in an L-shape on a corner site, with its entrance positioned at the splayed corner. The ground floor features polished black granite, while the upper floors are clad in smooth pale grey granite. The entrance includes a doorway with two-leaf storm doors adorned with relief carved panels, and a fanlight above that displays the company crest. This entrance is flanked by fluted pale grey granite columns that support bronze figures representing maternal and paternal figures by Alexander Carrick at the first floor. Above the entrance is a full-height oriel window, supported by a keystone bracket, and vertical flag poles are positioned at the upper floors.

The building has similar five-bay elevations facing George Street and St Andrew Square, with depressed arched arcaded windows at the ground level and punched windows on the upper floors that become progressively shorter. The first floor features bronze balconies and lamp brackets. The attic is set back behind a black granite cornice and parapet. The St Andrew Square elevation includes a narrow outer bay with a door at the ground level and a vertical glazing strip for the stairwell above, while the George Street return has a projecting half-gabled stack.

The original horizontal multi-pane metal glazing is preserved throughout the building. The roof is a combination of piend and platform styles, finished with grey slates.

Inside, the building boasts exceptional period detail and integrity. The entrance is planned on a diagonal axis, leading into a public area with reeded marble columns and flanking counters that guide visitors to the central core, where an Imperial staircase features stained glass designed by William Wilson, extending up to the fifth floor. Original bronze and glass lamps illuminate the space. At the ground level, offices extend to the rear of the staircase into an igloo-like area topped with a saucer dome pierced by glass eyes. The first floor includes a marble landing and a Boardroom with apsidal ends, marble columns, a compartmentalised teak ceiling, and walnut panelled doors. Similar features are found in the Manager's and Committee rooms, which also contain marble fireplaces with original electric fires, furniture, and lighting. The remaining floors are primarily open plan, wrapping around the central landing, with marble columns on the second floor and polished timber fittings extending up to the fourth floor.