Bank Of Scotland, 62, 64, 66 George Street, Edinburgh

The Bank of Scotland, located at 62, 64, and 66 George Street in Edinburgh, was designed by architects David and John Bryce and built between 1874 and 1878. This three-storey building with an attic and basement features nine bays in an Italianate style reminiscent of a former palazzo. The exterior is made of polished cream sandstone ashlar, which has been cleaned. The basement area has a blind balustrade, and the ground floor is marked by banded vermiculated piers. There are three Ionic porches, with the central one featuring coupled columns and arched pilastered doorways adorned with shell tympana and two-leaf panelled doors. The first floor is highlighted by Corinthian aedicules, particularly emphasized at the center, while the second floor windows have lugged architraves. The building is topped with a bracketed cornice and a balustraded parapet, with dormers set behind.

At the rear, there is a two-storey, four-bay range made of stugged ashlar, which includes an older crow-stepped gable and a corniced stack to the east. The windows throughout are timber sash and case, featuring six and four panes, and the roof is covered with grey slates.

Inside, a pilastered lobby leads to an off-centre Banking Hall, which is supported by four polished Peterhead granite Corinthian columns that lead to a top-lit telling area. The ceiling here is elaborate, with consoles and coving. Original floor tiles remain under the carpet, and the original furniture was crafted by John Taylor & Son of Edinburgh. The lobby features a mahogany counter with a mahogany and brass screen behind it, and etched glass is present throughout. A consoled pedimented door leads to the Manager's office, which is separated from the Interview Room by an etched glazed screen; both rooms have marble chimneypieces. There is another room behind the lobby that also features a marble chimneypiece. Staircases at either end of the building provide access to all floors. On the first floor, there is a three-bay former Boardroom with a panelled dado, an embossed ceiling, and a frieze; the original chimneypiece has been replaced with a patched dado. An open stair leads to the second floor, where all stairs are equipped with cast-iron banisters. The second floor contains two timber chimneypieces in the larger rooms, and there have been considerable alterations. Additionally, large walk-in safes are located at both the basement and ground levels.