Rear Block To N, 537-539 Castlehill, Edinburgh

Earlier 17th century and early 19th century with later alterations, including Ian G Lindsay and Partners, 1979-81. 3-storey 3-bay early 19th century plain ashlar block to Castlehill with pends to right (Jollie's Close) and left (Semple's Close) bounding long narrow rubble-built 17th century L-plan block to rear.

S (CASTLEHILL) ELEVATION: continuous cornice and fascia to ground floor; eaves course. Fluted pilasters to outer right and left at ground floor; 2-leaf glazed door to shop. Projecting cills above.

E (JOLLIE'S CLOSE) ELEVATION: drum stair tower, entrance to 3-storey and attic rubble-built tenement, built to slope of ground.

W (SEMPLE'S CLOSE) ELEVATION: ); rubble-built 3-storey and attic 4-bay tenement with ashlar dressings, now at lower level; 2 broad wallhead stacks; later dormer to attic. fragment of Sempill House to N: 3-storeys, rubble-built with ashlar dressings; piend-roofed semi-octagonal stair tower to left; studded timber boarded door in roll-moulded surround with corniced inscribed lintel (see Notes) over; recessed bay to right with timber boarded door to left in roll-moulded surround; paired windows above.

12-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows. Grey slates. Corniced apex stack to E gable of 19th century block; corniced rubble wallhead stacks to 17th century blocks, all with circular cans.