Dean Orphanage, 73 Belford Road, Edinburgh

The Dean Orphanage, built between 1831 and 1833 by Thomas Hamilton, is a large, two-storey and basement building with a basement, originally an orphanage set within extensive grounds off Belford Road in Edinburgh. It was later converted into an art gallery in 1999 by Terry Farrell and Partners. The building is constructed of sandstone ashlar in a Neo-Baroque style and sits prominently on a terrace.

The principal, south elevation features eleven bays flanked by advanced two-bay corner pavilions. A large, pedimented central portico with a tetrastyle design and round arched surround, including a fanlight over the main entrance, is the focal point. Above the portico is a stepped attic storey, which incorporates a clock originating from the Netherbow Port, flanked by large scrolls and urns. A moulded string course runs across the centre at basement level, with further moulded band courses at the first floor. Deep corniced eaves and arched surrounds frame the windows at both ground and first floors. The ground floor windows either side of the main doorway are large and rectangular, featuring radially glazed fanlights. Pilastered, round arched surrounds to the corner pavilions at the first floor incorporate small fielded panels beneath the cills and scrolled keystones.

A pair of single-stage, openwork towers are positioned centrally on the roof, to the left (west) and right (east). These towers are supported by large scrolled brackets, and topped with octagonal columns and urns. The towers’ round-arched openings feature balustrades with narrow arcaded arches and small foliate crests. The towers are crowned with octagonal chimney stacks.

The west elevation features a three-bay centre flanked by advanced single bays. An arcaded balustrade with a coped octagonal pier is present at ground floor level. The north rear elevation exhibits regular fenestration, similar to that of the south elevation, with two large cart-arched openings on the ground floor. The east elevation mirrors the west.

Significant stone terracing, with predominantly plain sandstone ashlar walls and urns, is a key feature of the site.

The windows are timber sash and case style with margin-paned glazing, with some geometric glazed fanlights. The roof has a shallow pitch, and stacks are integrated within the towers, featuring modern clay cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods are visible.

The interior, now used as exhibition space, is characterized by a simple scheme. A large entrance vestibule has keystoned, round arched niches. A central spine corridor, with a coffered ceiling, opens onto a double-height space at the ground floor rear. Dog-leg staircases at each end lead to a lantern above, which forms part of the external tower. Later alterations to create the art gallery include a studio for Sir Eduardo Paolozzi on the ground floor.