10 Blenheim Place, Edinburgh

W.H. Playfair, designed 1821. Built by J Dickson, 1824. Symmetrical, classical tenement range, on site with very steep drop to rear; single storey and basement to Blenheim Place and E elevations, 4/5 stories to rear. 15 bays to Blenheim Place, 5 bays to E elevation. Polished ashlar; droved ashlar (some painted) to basements to Blenheim Place elevation; coursed squared rubble with droved margins to rear. Dividing band between basement and ground floor; eaves course and cornice; blocking course. Greek Doric colonnade to E elevation; coupled pilasters dividing bays to Blenheim Place elevation. Predominantly regular fenestration.

N (BLENHEIM PLACE) ELEVATION: steps and entrance platts overarching basement recess to 5 doorways, each with 2-leaf timber-panelled door with letterbox fanlight (those at No. 6 and 9 divided into 5 oval lights) flanked to left and right by single window.

E ELEVATION: single central window to basement. Blank wall above with 6 engaged fluted Greek Doric columns.

S (REAR) ELEVATION: 2 shouldered doorways and dividing band between ground and 1st floor to right. 4-storey, 2-bay bowed section to left; 3 4-storey, single bay bowed sections to outer left. Fenestration predominantly regular in terms of position, but with varied forms and sizes.

GLAZING etc: predominantly 12-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows (some modern casements to rear). Flat roof. 5 corniced, rendered (random rubble to centre stack) stacks with circular cans, placed across width of roof at regular intervals, beginning at E wallhead.

BOUNDARY WALLS: to S elevation, high random rubble garden wall with stone copings; runs N to S from centre of rear elevation, plus short section from E to W; E elevation of wall has doorway with dressed margins at left, modern garage door and doorway inserted to right.

RAILINGS: to N elevation only; to edge of basement recesses and platts, stone copes (edging basement only) surmounted by cast iron railings and gates with circular design at top and spear-headed dog bars.