42-76 (Even Nos) Pleasance University Of Edinburgh Centre For Sport And Exercise (Former Brewery And Offices)

The building at 42-76 (Even Numbers) Pleasance, part of the University of Edinburgh Centre for Sport and Exercise, is a 19th-century structure that may include elements from the 18th century. It was originally designed by William Beattie & Sons, who added to the office in 1884, and underwent alterations by Lorimer & Matthew for the brewery in 1938. The property consists of a two-storey and attic office building over a basement, featuring a later projecting wing to the left (No 44) and a substantial three-storey former brewery building adjoining to the southeast (No 46), which has a large late 20th-century extension to the east.

No 44 is constructed of random sandstone rubble with ashlar margins, and has coursed pink and cream droved sandstone with ashlar dressing on the wing. The entrance elevation has three bays on the right, with steps leading to a central six-panel entrance door topped by a Gothic-tracery four-light fanlight. There is a later canted dormer with a piended roof and cast iron railings around the stair and basement area. A single-storey porch is located in the re-entrant angle to the left, featuring a six-panel timber entrance door. The later extension from 1884 includes a full-height canted bay window with a piended roof. The windows are predominantly 12-pane timber sash and case in the three-bay section, with plate glass timber sash and case in the later wing. The roof is covered with grey slates, and there are rendered gable stacks.

No 46 has a west elevation that is 13 bays wide and nearly symmetrical, featuring a segmental-arched entrance doorway to the left with a modern canopy. It is built of snecked cream and pink sandstone rubble with pink ashlar margins and includes a string course. The building has a mix of small and large window openings, with various types of glazing, including some four-pane fixed glazing with top hoppers and some blocked openings. The roof is a combination of slate, red tiles, and corrugated iron.

The interior, as seen in 2007, has been comprehensively altered, but some vaulted rooms remain in the basement.