16, 17, 18 Royal Crescent, Edinburgh

Thomas Brown, 1825; completed 1884-8, James Lessels. 4-storey and basement 22-bay terraced tenement stepping down at centre, comprising 12-bay central block flanked by 5-bay terminal pavilions. Polished ashlar sandstone, V-jointed rustication at principal floor of terminal pavilions, channelled at E elevation. Greek Doric doorpieces to central block. Band courses between basement and principal floor, principal and 1st floor, 1st and 2nd floor; continuous cornice to 2nd floor; cornice and blocking course at 3rd floor. Raised margins to principal floor windows; panelled aprons at 1st floor. Ashlar and entrance platts oversailing basement.

NE (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: advanced and corniced doorpieces to central block, with Greek Doric columns supporting entablatures; regular fenestration to all floors. Terminal pavilions with round-arched recesses in central 3 bays at principal floor; 6-panel timber door with plate glass semicircular fanlight centred at E terminal pavilion, 4-panel timber door with radial semicircular fanlight centred at W pavilion, 6-panel timber door with infilled rectangular fanlight to outer right at W terminal pavilion, regular fenestration to floors above, and to basement. Ionic pilasters between bays at 1st and 2nd floors, panelled pilasters between bays at 3rd floor.

E (DUNDONALD STREET) ELEVATION: 4-bay elevation; 6-panel timber door with plate glass rectangular fanlight to right at principal floor; windows in remaining bays, regular fenestration to floors above and to basement.

W ELEVATION: adjoining terrace, see separate listing (1-12 Fettes Row).

Predominantly 12-pane timber sash and case windows. Grey slate M-roof. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Variety of wallhead and ridge stacks; coped, with circular cans.

INTERIORS: not seen, 1997, but some evidence of working panelled shutters.

RAILINGS AND LAMPS: ashlar copes surmounted by cast-iron railings with fleur-de-lis balusters and floriate and pineapple finials. Cast-iron railing-mounted lamps with glass globes.