Gatepier, 102 Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh

Built between 1899 and 1902 by Leadbetter and Fairley, 102 Warrender Park Road was originally the Usher Institute of Public Health and has been converted into residential use. It is an example of Renaissance palazzo style architecture with Beaux Arts detailing. The building is three storeys high, comprising a recessed central block flanked by pavilion wings.

The north-facing Warrender Park Road elevation is six bays wide, with the central block set back. A prominent central doorcase features banded Ionic columns, an entablature, and three heraldic shields set within the frieze. The doorway itself is architraved with a keystone and retains an original bell-pull; the door is modern. Single windows are positioned above the doorway in the two bays, topped by a semi-circular pediment containing carved heraldry and a stone obelisk finial. Single windows are also found in the two bays flanking the central block to the left and right, finishing with a balustraded parapet above the eaves. The pavilion wings to the left and right each have four bays at ground level, with central windows projecting forward. Giant Ionic pilasters define the central three bays of each pavilion on the first and second floors. The second floor features Gibbsian windows, broken pediments, and small single windows in the outer bays.

The east-facing Spottiswoode Street elevation has three segmental-arched, keystoned windows at ground level. The first and second floors each contain five single windows, with the second and fourth bays on the second floor being taller, segmental-arched, and featuring Gibbsian surrounds. The west elevation has a mix of tripartite and small single windows at ground level. Oeil-de-beouf windows are positioned flanking two round-arched, keystoned windows on the first floor, incorporating fanlight glazing patterns. Three segmental-arched Gibbsian windows are present on the second floor.

The windows are timber sash and case, with plate glass and two-pane lower sashes. The roof is covered in red pantiled tiles, and original rainwater goods (including hoppers) remain.

The interior, as viewed in 2015, features a terrazzo-tiled entrance hall with oak panelling, timber doors, timber Ionic pilasters at the corners, and a dentilled cornice. The staircase is lined with porcelain tiles, and the windows have decorative coloured glass. The majority of the building has since been converted to student accommodation.

A low coped boundary wall, accompanied by replacement railings, lines the streets. Corniced ashlar gatepiers with quadrant walls are positioned to the west.