51 Northumberland Street, Edinburgh

This is a row of six houses forming a terrace at 59 Northumberland Street, Edinburgh, built in the early 19th century by Robert Reid and William Sibbald. The terrace is two storeys, with an attic and basement, and originally comprised 18 bays. The houses are constructed of polished ashlar sandstone, with rusticated stonework at the principal floor level, and a more regular finish at the basement. A base course, band courses above the basement and first floors, a mutuled cornice, and a blocking course define the exterior. The windows are architraved with cornices, and the cills are slightly lowered at number 57. Some first-floor bays have fluted aprons (at numbers 51 and 53), while others have blind balustered aprons (at numbers 55, 59, and 61). Ashlar steps and entrance platts project from the basement level. A mews area is located to the rear, accessible from Northumberland Street North West Lane.

The main (south) elevation has recessed doorpieces to the right of each house, featuring six-panel and nine-panel timber doors. The upper panels of the door at number 59 are glazed with plate glass, and a semicircular fanlight sits above. Regular window placement continues to the remaining bays at the principal floor, and to the upper and basement floors. A decorative cast-iron window guard is present in the first-floor bays of number 57.

The east and west elevations adjoin further terraces, which are listed separately.

The windows are predominantly timber sash and case windows with 12 panes. The roof is covered with grey slate and features dormers – canted piended dormers at number 51, box dormers at numbers 53, 55, and 61, and rectangular dormers at numbers 57 and 59. Cast-iron rainwater goods are fitted. The rendered and rubble ridge stacks have broached ashlar quoins and are topped with circular cans.

The interiors were not inspected in 1997, but there is evidence of working panelled shutters within the properties.

Ashlar copes support cast-iron railings with spear-headed balusters and urn finials. Cast-iron lamps with glass globes are affixed to the railings.

The mews buildings at 8-14 Northumberland Street North West Lane have a north-facing principal elevation. They consist of modern doors and vertically-boarded garage doors at ground level, irregular window placement, and modern gabled timber dormerheads. Timber boarded loft doors are also present.