3 Rothesay Terrace, Edinburgh

3 Rothesay Terrace is an asymmetrical, four-bay townhouse of four storeys and a basement and attic, built in 1883 by A.G. Sydney Mitchell. It stands on a site previously occupied by a terraced house dating from 1876, and has undergone later alterations that provide access to rooms previously part of the adjacent property at No. 2 Rothesay Terrace (listed separately).

The front (south) elevation is constructed of sandstone ashlar, with the stone channelled on either side of the porch. A moulded base course runs around the building, above which is a moulded band course at the first floor, followed by a string course at the third floor and a corniced eaves course. The entrance platt overhangs the basement. A centrally positioned, pilastered and pedimented porch features relief carving in a classical style and is topped by a pedimented window on the first floor. To the right is a two-storey canted bay, and to the left, a two-storey rectangular bay. The windows are architraved with corniced cills. The second-floor windows are mullioned, with tripartite glazing to the right and bipartite to the left, featuring scrolled aprons. Third-floor windows have bracketed sills, and the attic has three rectangular dormers. Cast-iron balconies with a bombed profile are present above the entrance and advanced bays.

The rear (north) elevation is six storeys high, roughly three bays wide, and slightly advanced, built in squared coursed rubble with ashlar dressings. A six-storey canted bay projects on the right side. The fenestration is regular, with tripartite windows on the first, second, and third floors, mirroring the multipane glazing of the front elevation.

The windows are timber sash and case with an elaborate multipane glazing pattern. Upper floors feature 18 and 15 panes. The roof is a steep double-pitch M-section covered in grey slates. Corniced ashlar gable end stacks are present, with a replacement to the east, and modern clay cans. Cast-iron railings sit atop an ashlar cope, edging the basement recess to the street. Cast-iron rainwater goods are set behind the cornice and band courses.

The interior, now converted for use as a hotel (in 2008), is lavishly decorated in a Franco-Italianate style. The ground-floor entrance hall features broad walnut panelling, a square staircase with marble treads, gryphon-carved newel posts with armorial shields, and a large scroll pedimented chimneypiece of red and white marble. The rear dining room has further panelling, a two-stage marble chimneypiece, and a timber beamed ceiling. The rear drawing room, on the first floor, has a bay window, timber panelling, and a fireplace by Farmer and Brindley featuring alabaster and coloured stone. The drawing room also has a deep cornice with figurative decoration and a panelled ceiling with murals depicting astrological and pastoral scenes. A library on the front left side of the first floor is fitted with integrated corniced bookcases, detailed timber panelling with relief carvings of putti, and some cornicing is present in rooms on the second and third floors. Cylindrical rooflights are located in the third-floor corridors.