Royal Bank Of Scotland, 1, 2, 3 Blenheim Place, Edinburgh

W.H. Playfair designed 1821, built by William Cullen, 1825. 3-storey basement and attic (6 bays to Blenheim Place, 5 bays facing Leith Walk, 5 bays to E elevation) classical, curved corner tenement block with 2-storey tetrastyle Ionic portico to E; 2-storey quadrant colonnade facing Leith Walk. Polished ashlar (painted droved ashlar to basement, painted to ground floor, coursed squared rubble to rear). Dividing band between ground and 1st floor; dividing band course and dentilled main cornice between 2nd and attic floor; eaves cornice and blocking cornice. Giant pilasters dividing bays to 1st floor; pilaster-strips dividing bays to attic floor. Round-arched openings to ground floor; regular fenestration.

NW (LEITH WALK) ELEVATION: slightly recessed curved elevation; polished cladding to ground floor; steps to 2-leaf timber-panelled door with segmental fanlight above, flanked by 2 windows to left and right; giant Ionic columns dividing bays at 1st floor. Narrow advanced section to far right with door at ground floor.

N ELEVATION: to far left, additional bay to basement and ground floor. Steps to 2 platts overarching basement recess, leading to 2 doors with segmental teardrop fanlights, both flanked to right by window with similar fanlight; 2 windows to far right.

E ELEVATION: 2-bay section to left. 3-bay section to right (ground floor obscured by adjoining building) with giant Ionic columns at 1st floor supporting pediment; blind windows to centre bay; blank wall to attic floor behind pediment. 3 cast-iron balconnettes to 2nd floor windows (2 to left bays, 1 to outer right bay).

S (REAR) ELEVATION: 3-bay elevation (to right, recessed 4th bay to basement and ground floor only.). To right bay, blind windows to 2nd and attic floors. Some windows at basement and ground floor altered or blocked up.

GLAZING etc: predominantly 12-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows; plate-glass in timber sash and case windows to attic floor; predominantly modern glazing to ground floor. Double-piend roof, curved to N; graded grey slates. Corniced rendered ridge stack with circular cans to right of N elevation; stone wallhead stack with circular cans to E elevation; 2 corniced rubble wallhead stacks to rear.

RAILINGS: cast iron railings, gates and balcony surrounding basement area to N elevation; circular design with spear-headed dog bars.