31 Ann Street, Edinburgh

Probably James Milne, 1816-29, with some later additions to attic. Extensive symmetrical terrace of 2-storey, 3-bay and basement classical townhouses with slightly advanced pedimented and pilastered 3-storey 6-bay centre, flanked by tall 2-storey, 3-bay townhouses; prominent gardens fronting street. Sandstone ashlar, coursed squared rubble with ashlar rybats at basement; rusticated ashlar at ground floor of 3-storey block. Entrance platts oversailing basement area recess to garden. Banded base course and narrow banded cill course at ground floor; deep banded cill course at 1st floor incorporating fluted aprons to 1st floor windows; corniced eaves course. Moulded architraved, bracketed and corniced doorways; rectangular fanlights with geometric glazing pattern. Later full-height 3-light canted bay to No.35 with piend roofed rectangular dormer above. Some later rectangular tile hung dormers at attic.

NOS 25-31 (CENTRE SECTION): pedimented 3-storey, 6-bay centre flanked by slightly recessed tall 2-storey, 3-bay townhouses. Ionic heptastyle pilasters spanning 1st and 2nd floors, interrupting narrow banded cill course at second floor. Banded eaves course with triangular pediment above; blind oculus to centre and plain block finial to apex. Paired porches to centre with paired fluted Greek Doric columns, cornice and blocking course. Moulded architraved 1st floor windows to flanking townhouses.

SW (REAR) ELEVATION: some coursed squared rubble, some random rubble, with droved ashlar rybats, lintels and cills. Later boxed dormer to No. 27.

12-pane glazing pattern in timber sash and case windows; 6- over 9-pane timber sash and case windows at 1st floor of 3-storey block. Pitched roof with some piended gables; grey slates. Corniced ashlar ridge stacks with some clay cans. Cast-iron rain-water goods. Low broached ashlar wall with droved copes and gate rybats edging gardens to street, topped with cast-iron railings incorporating decorative cast-iron lamp standards with large perpex bowl shades.

INTERIOR: (selection of interiors seen 2010) decorative classical scheme, characterised by intricate plasterwork and large drawing rooms. Stone stairs with well-detailed cast iron balustrade and timber handrail, topped by large cupolas with decorative plasterwork beneath. Large ground and 1st floor drawing rooms to front with decorative cornicing, some ceiling roses, some marble fireplaces. Corniced throughout, less elaborate to upper floors and basement. Working window shutters.