15, 16 Springfield, Dundee

Springfield is a cohesive neo-classical development comprising terraces, a cul-de-sac, and individual houses, constructed between 1828 and 1851. The site was feued in 1830 and 1831, with initial construction occurring between 1830 and 1846, and later modifications excluding Springfield House.

The development is arranged around a cul-de-sac, stepping up from the sea, and terminating with a semi-detached house at the north end and short terraces along Perth Road. Nos 5-14 and 18-27 are two-storey, three-bay houses, stepped in pairs, each featuring a central tetrastyle Doric portico. Many of these pairs originally had wrought and cast-iron balconies above the porticos, though most have since been lost. Windows are set within lugged architraves, corniced at ground level, with first-floor cill courses. A key feature is the main cornice and balustrade that runs along the terraces. Lower pairs are alternately advanced and recessed, while subsequent upper pairs are on the same plane. Almost all of the recessed pairs have pilaster strips defining their north ends.

Nos 15 and 16 are similarly styled but incorporate a full-length ground floor colonnade. A modern addition stands to the west of No 15. Nos 17 and 28 manifest as single, three-bay houses with a portico on the left side. They are connected to No 16 by a low-lying link.

The buildings fronting Perth Road—Nos 1-4 and 29-32—are each symmetrical, eight-bay structures, with the end bays slightly advanced. They share a similar neo-classical style and central tetrastyle porticos. No 1 is positioned at an angle to Perth Road, incorporating a trabeated porch on its side. No 32 features a later hemispherical, pilastered bow that rises through the ground and first floors. Alterations have affected No 3, which now features a mullioned window and balustrade.

The corner houses, Nos 4 and 29, are two bays wide facing Perth Road and three bays wide facing Springfield. No 4 has a central portico and a panelled wallhead stack facing Springfield, with a recently restored balustrade. No 29 incorporates a portico on the right side, and a wallhead stack has been partially removed for a later slate mansard roof with consoled dormers.

The windows are generally sash and case, with most being later two-pane, though some retain four or twelve panes. A few are modern replacements. The roofs are low-pitched and slate-covered, with ridge stacks. The rear elevations are constructed of rubble.

Some original plastered Ionic interiors remain. Original ironwork railings have been lost. Historic documents from 1830 and 1831 indicate the development was planned by an architect in Edinburgh.