12 Springfield, Dundee

12 Springfield comprises a Neo-classical cul-de-sac development constructed between 1828 and 1851. The terraces were feued beginning in 1830-1, with numbers 1-6 and 24-32 completed by 1846, and the layout subsequently modified to exclude Springfield House. The development is stepped up from the sea and terminates with a semi-detached house at the north end and short terraces at Perth Road.

The majority of the houses, numbers 5-14 and 18-27, are two-storey, three-bay structures with basements (some of which have been infilled). These houses are arranged in pairs, with each pair featuring a central tetrastyle Doric portico and wrought and cast-iron balconies (now mostly absent). Windows are set within lugged architraves that are corniced at ground level, with first-floor cill courses present. A main cornice and balustrade run along the top of the terraces. Lower pairs are alternately advanced and recessed, while later upper pairs are on the same plane. The north ends of almost all recessed pairs are defined by pilaster strips.

Numbers 15 and 16 are similarly styled, but feature a full-length ground-floor colonnade. A modern addition is located to the west of number 15. Numbers 17 and 28 are single, three-bay houses with a portico on the left side, and a one-storey link connects number 17 to number 16.

The elevations facing Perth Road consist of numbers 1-4 and 29-32, each being symmetrical eight-bay structures with the two end bays slightly advanced. These also feature central tetrastyle porticos, in a similar style to the rest of the development. Number 1 is positioned at an angle to accommodate Perth Road and includes a trabeated porch on its side. Number 32 has a late addition of a hemispherical, pilastered bow rising through the ground and first floors, along with a Doric portico and cast-iron balcony. Number 3 features a modern balustrade.

The corner houses, numbers 4 and 29, are two bays wide facing Perth Road and three bays wide facing Springfield. Number 4 has a central portico and a panelled wallhead stack to Springfield, with a balustrade recently restored. Number 29 has a portico on the right side, with a wallhead stack partly removed for a later slate mansard roof with consoled dormers.

The windows are mostly later two-pane sash and case windows, although some are four- or twelve-pane, and a few are modern. Low-pitched slate roofs cover the buildings, with ridge stacks present. The rear elevations are of rubble construction.

Some good, original, plastered Ionic interiors remain within the buildings. The original railings are missing. Historic documents from 1830 and 1831 refer to the development being feu'd according to a plan by an eminent architect in Edinburgh.