17 Springfield, Dundee

1-32 Springfield, Dundee, is a group of buildings of group value, constructed primarily in the 1820s and 1830s, with subsequent additions and modifications completed by 1851. The development forms a Neo-classical cul-de-sac, arranged in stepped terraces that rise from the sea, culminating in a semi-detached house to the north and short terraces along Perth Road.

The majority of the properties, numbers 5-14 and 18-27, are two-storey, three-bay houses, built in pairs and stepped along the slope. Each pair characteristically features a central tetrastyle Doric portico, originally ornamented with wrought and cast-iron balconies (now mostly absent). The windows are set within lugged architraves, corniced at ground level, and incorporate 1st-floor cill courses. A main cornice and balustrade runs along the top of the terraces. The lower pairs are alternately advanced and recessed, while later upper pairs are generally on the same plane. Most of the recessed pairs lack pilaster strips on their north ends.

Numbers 15 and 16 have a similar design but include 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, connected to number 16 by a single-storey link.

The elevations facing Perth Road consist of symmetrical, eight-bay structures, with numbers 1-4 and 29-32 having bays at each end that are slightly advanced. They are similarly styled with central tetrastyle porticos. Number 1 sits at an angle to accommodate Perth Road, featuring a trabeated porch on its side. Number 32 incorporates a later hemispherical, pilastered bow window rising through the ground and first floors. Number 3 has a later balustrade, and number 4 presents a panelled wallhead stack to Springfield alongside a central portico. Number 29 features a portico on the right and a slate mansard roof with consoled dormers, resulting from the partial removal of an earlier wallhead stack.

The corner houses, numbers 4 and 29, are two bays wide facing Perth Road and three bays wide facing Springfield, sharing a similar architectural style.

The windows are predominantly sash and case, with later 2-pane glazing. Some windows feature earlier 4-pane or 12-pane designs, and a few are modern. The roofs are low-piended and slate-covered, with ridge stacks. The rear elevations are constructed of rubble.

Some original plastered Ionic interiors remain. Original iron railings are now missing. Historic documents, dated 28 January 1830 and 17 March 1831, suggest the development was feued according to a plan by an “eminent architect in Edinburgh”.