32 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

24 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

A neo-classical palace block designed by Robert Adam and built between 1796 and circa 1810. Originally comprising 9 town houses entered from the front with tenements accessed from either end, the building is now arranged as a symmetrical 3-storey structure with basement and attic across 27 bays. It is constructed in polished cream sandstone ashlar, with the West pavilion stonecleaned. The basement is rock-faced; the ground floor features V-jointed rustication with impost course where appropriate, while the 1st and 2nd floors have cill courses (excepting the pavilions). A cornice and blocking course complete the main elevations.

The Charlotte Square elevation to the south is the principal façade. A slightly projecting 7-bay centrepiece is articulated by an engaged tetrastyle portico with paired columns that breaks forward again, with balustrades between the column bases. At 1st floor level, round-arched recessed windows alternate with circular plaques. A carved and fluted frieze with blank panel at the centre is topped by a balustraded parapet framed by festoons. The end pavilions are broader spaced with pilasters to the upper floors. They feature Venetian windows in round-arched recesses at ground level, balustraded windows at 1st floor, and a tripartite window in a round-arched recess at the centre flanked by windows with consoled cornices. A solid parapet with festoon at the centre is surmounted by pyramidal roofs. The inner bays are arcaded at ground level. Tripartite doors with radiating fanlights of various designs are positioned at the centre of the centrepiece and pavilions, then repeated every 3 bays moving outwards. The West pavilion has one door blocked and converted to a window.

The Hope Street elevation to the west is 5 bays wide. Three bays to the north are built out at ground level to suit the slope, featuring a Venetian window at the centre and a doorway to the south return. A shouldered chimney gable contains a thermal attic window with a pair of arched windows, one blind. An incongruous box dormer sits to the right.

The South Charlotte Street elevation to the east is 8 bays. A plain door is located in the centre-right bay; formerly there was also a door to the 3rd bay from the left (the platt has since been removed and the opening filled as a window). Four blind windows occupy the upper floors. A shouldered chimney gable with thermal attic window is accompanied by a pair of tripartite box dormers to the left.

The rear elevation is constructed in dressed rubble with bowed bays to Numbers 27, 28 and 29, along with various extensions and alterations. The individual houses are generally 2 bays wide with a large 1st floor window to the left.

Windows throughout are timber sash and case with 12 panes; some have been replaced with plate glass at the rear. The roof is covered in grey slates with ashlar coped skews and corniced ashlar chimney stacks.

INTERIORS

Number 25 has been gutted. Numbers 26, 27 and 28 were savagely united circa 1970 and knocked through to Number 25. Numbers 27 and 28 had been joined by W H Beattie circa 1900, with a new timber balustrade to the 1st floor, a mosaic pavement to the hall, and extensive timber panelling. A marble chimneypiece features fluted Ionic columns and rams' heads. The stair to Number 27 has been removed, though both cupolas survive, with pendentives supporting domes and skylights decorated with Greek key friezes. The interiors are mostly fairly plain but retain good early 19th-century character. Numbers 29 and 30 have undergone openings through and were thoroughly refurbished for office use in 1995. Stairs feature cast-iron brackets and tray rests; cupolas with pendentives support domes and skylights. Number 29 retains a panelled dado, black slate chimneypiece and sideboard recess to the former Dining Room. The former Drawing Room contains a fine original white marble chimneypiece with Islamic brass grate and tiles and a panel of Ceres, together with a plaster frieze and double doors to the Rear Drawing Room, which has a plainer similar chimneypiece with reeded frieze and pilasters. Number 30 features a large mid-19th-century grey marble chimneypiece with marble hearth and tiled inserts in the former L-plan Drawing Room.

Number 32 has been united with 14 and 16 South Charlotte Street.

Cast-iron spearhead railings and original lamp standards are present. Some rubble boundary walling survives to the rear.