21 Windsor Street, Dundee

The terrace at 21 Windsor Street, Dundee, dates from approximately 1851 to 1872 and comprises numbers 1 to 28 inclusive. The terrace’s design blends neo-classical elements at the southern end with Renaissance detailing at the north, with the latter sections designed by James MacLaren, demonstrating a stepped approach towards the river.

The first eight numbers (1-8) are a severe neo-classical block featuring four pairs of three-bay houses. Each pair has two centrally placed architraved and corniced doorways. Aprons feature beneath the first-floor windows. The elevation is characterized by a prominent main cornice, balustrade, and an M-shaped slate roof with ridge stacks. Numbers 2 and 3 are slightly recessed.

Numbers 9 to 18 are five pairs of stepped three-bay Renaissance houses, with basements appearing from number 11 onwards. These houses feature two centrally positioned doorways, each topped with consoled pediments. The windows are set within lugged architraves, with segmental arches at the first-floor level and keystones above each door. A main cornice and balustrade are present (though the balustrade is missing from numbers 9, 10, 17, and 18). Platformed slate roofs incorporate four round-headed dormers, each with casement windows, except for numbers 17 and 18.

Numbers 19 and 20 are single, stepped, four-bay houses designed in a style similar to numbers 9 to 18. Number 19 features a pedimented doorpiece in the third bay, which is moved to the fourth bay at number 20, accompanied by cornicing. There are three round-headed dormers at number 19. The balustrade is missing from both.

Number 21 is a five-bay house exhibiting a similar style, complete with a central pedimented doorpiece, balustrade, and dormers. Numbers 22 and 23 are similarly styled, single-stepped, three-bay houses, with pedimented doorpieces on the left-hand side, balustrades, and two dormers each.

Numbers 24, 25, and 26 are single-stepped, three-bay houses. Number 24 has roll-moulded windows and segmental arches at the first floor, with dormers missing (updated 2020). The balustrade and dormers are missing from number 25, while number 26 retains two dormers.

Numbers 27 and 28 are paired three-bay houses featuring paired, centrally placed, consoled pedimented doors. The windows have label stops, segmental arches at the first floor and are set within margins. The cornice is present, with a missing balustrade. Number 28 has two round-headed dormers.

The windows throughout the terrace are predominantly two-pane sash and case, with some original 12-pane windows at numbers 1 and 8, and original T-shape casement dormer windows. Slate roofs and ridge stacks complete the architectural details.