Salvation Army Hostel, 323 Cowgate, Edinburgh

The Salvation Army Hostel, located at 323 Cowgate in Edinburgh, is a former institutional building designed by Alexander Black between 1839 and 1840. This three-storey, seven-bay structure features an L-plan and exhibits Scots Jacobean architectural style. It is situated on a corner site and is characterized by strapwork detailing on the spandrels and first-floor window heads. The building is constructed of coursed ashlar stone with moulded dressings.

The ground floor has round-arched arcading, with moulded consoles positioned above the openings. There is a cill course at both the first and second floors, and a parapet with round-arched openings above the windows. The eastern elevation has three bays and is topped with a shaped gable and a chimney breast that includes a clock. Elaborate strapwork is present above at the parapet level.

At the southeast angle, there is a projecting jamb that rises to four storeys, featuring steep pediments at the second-floor windows. A central bracketed wallhead chimney, with its shafts removed, is flanked by square bartizans with ogee roofs at the corner angles.

The building predominantly has 12 and 15-pane timber sash and case windows, a grey Scottish slate roof, and cast-iron rainwater goods.