Main U-Plan Block, Royal Hospital For Sick Children

George Washington Browne, 1892-5, with later alterations. Red sandstone U-plan Children's Hospital in Jacobean Renaissance style. In accordance with Section 1 (4A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 the following are excluded from the listing: early 20th century former outpatients block to Sylvan Place and excluding all additions to west and north.

Prominent 3-storey and attic 5-bay central entrance block comprising paired advanced box-bay sections with shaped Dutch gables and flanking recessed 2-bay, 3-storey sections. Large paired symmetrical 6-bay, 3-storey wings which extend forward to the south culminating in paired octagonal corner turrets creating the central entrance courtyard. Ground floor cill course, dentilled cornice. Central doorway with triumphal arched porch between advanced gabled bays, large segmental pediment with tympanum containing elaborate florate arms of Scotland.

The advanced 3-storey gabled bays have 3 close-grouped windows at each floor and shaped gabled returns with gablehead stacks. 5-bay rear elevation with broad curved bay windows at centre ground rising to 2nd floor and slim shaped gable roof dormers. The east wing has a decorative memorial plaque with the inscription "The Lady Caroline Charteris Wing. Erected in loving memory of a beautiful and beneficient life by her sister Lady Jane Dundas 1892-1895".

Red sandstone ashlar, with later alterations in similar stonework to main block. Predominantly aluminium framed windows. Multi-pane windows to canted bays to rear.

The interior of the main hospital building was seen in 2014 and largely retains its original plan form to the ward areas although it has been altered internally for modern hospital use with standard finishes dating to the late 20th century. The only significant surviving interior detail to the main block is the main entrance lobby and inner hall which retains its original plan form with double doors and decorative timber glazed fanlights and cornicing. The attic floor has a stair with turned timber bannisters and a cast iron fireplace.

Highly decorated boundary wall to south entrance elevation enclosing courtyard, comprising low coursed rubble walls to centre with tall ballustraded frieze and pair of symmetrical gateways with squared columns capped by tall three tired pyramidal caps on ball feet. Solid walls extend to either side with 4 round arched details to coping stones. To far right is similarly detailed taller wall which forms the gable of an outbuilding.