34, 36, 38, 40 Broughton Street, Edinburgh

This is a substantial, late Georgian, four-storey and basement terraced classical tenement on a corner site in Edinburgh, constructed between 1829 and 1834 by Thomas Bonnar. It forms one part of a mirrored pair, and incorporates a prominent three-bay, five-storey corner tower that rises above the main building line. The building has considerable group value due to its architectural merit and contribution to the streetscape.

The principal facades are built of polished ashlar sandstone at the principal floor, with broached ashlar to the upper floors and basement. The base course is prominent and is topped by a cornice at the principal floor. The corner tower features a corniced frieze, a cill course and further cornices and blocking courses adding to its architectural complexity. The windows are architraved on the first floor, with projecting cills on the second floor, except for the corner tower. Ashlar steps and entrance platts oversail the basement.

The principal (northeast) elevation has four bays, expanding to six bays at the principal floor, which incorporates a pair of two-bay shop fronts to the left. These shop fronts feature original timber doors with four panels and rectilinear fanlights. The ground floor of the corner tower is similarly treated with a central doorway, flanked by windows. Regular fenestration, grouped two-one-one, is evident to the upper floors and basement. A flagged basement area is also present.

The northwest elevation, facing Barony Street, presents an eight-bay principal floor facade which connects to the adjoining terrace at 9-31 Barony Street (listed separately). This elevation shows a continued pattern of shop fronts with timber doors and rectilinear fanlights. Regular fenestration, grouped three-three, is present on the upper floors. The southeast elevation is a plain, rubble gable.

The corner tower boasts regular fenestration to all floors. The rear elevation was not inspected in 1998.

The building retains predominantly 12-pane timber sash and case windows, and is covered by a grey slate roof with cast-iron rainwater goods. The ridge and wallhead stacks are of broached ashlar, coped and topped with circular cans, accompanied by coped skews.

Internal inspection was not possible in 1998, but evidence of working panelled shutters suggests original interior features. Iron railings with spear-headed and pineapple finials top ashlar copes, adding further detail to the building's exterior.