3 Royal Crescent, Edinburgh

This is a substantial, 29-bay, four-storey and basement terraced tenement located in Edinburgh, built in 1825 by Thomas Brown and completed in 1884-8 by James Lessels. The building comprises a central 19-bay block flanked by two 5-bay terminal pavilions. It is constructed of polished ashlar sandstone, with V-jointed rustication at the principal floor level of the end pavilions, and broached ashlar sandstone on the west elevation with channelled principal floor details. Greek Doric doorpieces are a prominent feature of the central block.

The principal (northwest) elevation features advanced and corniced doorpieces with Greek Doric columns supporting entablatures. Regular fenestration is present on all floors. Window guards are located at the first floor of numbers 2, 7 and 8. The terminal pavilions have round-arched recesses at principal floor level. The east terminal pavilion has a four-panel timber door with a radial semicircular fanlight, while the west terminal pavilion features a pair of six-panel timber doors with rectangular fanlights. Ionic pilasters define the bays at the first and second floors, and panelled pilasters mark the bays at the third floor.

The northeast (Scotland Street) elevation has a four-bay end section with a four-panel timber door with a rectangular fanlight and regular fenestration. A three-bay return section on Scotland Street also displays regular fenestration. The west (Dundonald Street) elevation features a six-panel timber door with a plate glass fanlight, and regular fenestration on all floors and in the basement.

The majority of windows are 12-pane timber sash and case. The roof is covered in grey slate, with two pairs of lead-roofed rectangular dormers, one pair breaking the roof pitch. Cast-iron rainwater goods are fitted, and a variety of wallhead and ridge stacks, topped with circular cans, are present.

Interiors were not inspected in 1997, but evidence of working panelled shutters was noted.

The building is surrounded by ashlar copes topped with cast-iron railings featuring fleur-de-lis balusters and a variety of finials. Cast-iron, railing-mounted lamps with glass globes further enhance the exterior.