3 Springfield, Dundee

3 Springfield is a neo-classical terrace of houses constructed in Dundee between 1828 and 1851. The development began with the feuing of plots in 1830-1831, and the terraces were mostly complete by 1846, with further modifications concluding by 1851. The layout forms a cul-de-sac, stepped up from the sea, with a semi-detached house at the northern end and short terraces along Perth Road.

The majority of the terraces, comprising numbers 5-14 and 18-27, consist of two-storey, basement (some of which have since been infilled) houses arranged in pairs, each with three bays. A prominent feature is the central tetrastyle Doric portico to each pair, originally accompanied by wrought and cast-iron balconies (now mostly absent). Windows are set within lugged architraves, corniced at ground level, with first-floor cill courses. A main cornice and balustrade run along the tops of the terraces. The lower pairs are alternately advanced and recessed, while the upper pairs sit on the same plane. Nearly all but the recessed pairs have pilaster strips defining their north-facing ends.

Numbers 15 and 16 are similarly styled but feature a full-length ground-floor colonnade. A modern addition has been made to the west of number 15. Numbers 17 and 28 are single, three-bay houses with a portico on the left-hand side, connected to number 16 by a single-storey link.

The elevations facing Perth Road (numbers 1-4 and 29-32) are predominantly symmetrical, eight-bay arrangements with the two bays at each end slightly advanced. These are also distinguished by central tetrastyle porticos. Number 1 is set at an angle to accommodate Perth Road, with a trabeated porch on its side. Number 32 has a later hemispherical, pilastered bow rising through both ground and first floors. Number 3 features alterations and a restored 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, along with a recently restored balustrade. Number 29 has a portico on its right-hand side, although its wallhead stack was partly removed for a later slate mansard roof with consoled dormers.

The windows are mainly sash and case, with most now fitted with two-pane glass, although some retain four or twelve panes. The roofs are low-pitched and slate-covered, with ridge stacks. The rear of the buildings are constructed of rubble. Some well-preserved, plastered Ionic interiors remain. Original iron railings are missing.