22, 23 Royal Crescent, Edinburgh

This is a four-storey and basement terraced tenement, built in 1825 by Thomas Brown and completed in 1884-8 by James Lessels, forming part of the Royal Crescent in Edinburgh. The building consists of a central 12-bay block flanked by two 5-bay terminal pavilions, stepping down towards the centre. It is constructed of polished ashlar sandstone, with V-jointed rustication on the principal floor of the terminal pavilions and a channelled finish to the east elevation. Greek Doric doorpieces define the central block. Horizontal band courses separate the basement from the principal floor, the principal floor from the first floor, and the first floor from the second floor; a continuous cornice runs along the second floor, topped by a further cornice and blocking course at the third floor. Raised margins accentuate the windows on the principal floor, while panelled aprons are present below the first-floor windows. The ashlar and entrance platts project from the basement level.

The principal north-east elevation features advanced and corniced doorpieces to the central block, supported by Greek Doric columns and entablatures, and regular fenestration across all floors. The terminal pavilions incorporate round-arched recesses in the central three bays at principal floor level. The eastern terminal pavilion features a six-panel timber door with a plate glass semicircular fanlight; the western pavilion has a four-panel timber door with a radial semicircular fanlight; and a six-panel timber door with a rectangular fanlight is found to the outer right of the western terminal pavilion. Ionic pilasters are positioned between bays on the first and second floors and panelled pilasters separate the bays on the third floor.

The east (Dundonald Street) elevation is four bays wide, with a six-panel timber door and a plate glass rectangular fanlight on the right-hand side at principal floor level. Windows occupy the remaining bays, and the fenestration is regular across all floors and into the basement.

The western elevation adjoins a terrace which is listed separately (1-12 Fettes Row).

The windows are predominantly timber sash and case windows with 12 panes. The roof is covered in grey slate, with cast-iron rainwater goods. A range of wallhead and ridge stacks rise from the roof, with circular cans atop coped details.

The interiors were not inspected in 1997, though evidence suggests the presence of working panelled shutters.

The front boundary is defined by ashlar copes topped with cast-iron railings featuring fleur-de-lis balusters and floriate and pineapple finials. Railing-mounted lamps with glass globes complete the scheme.