Public Library, 5 Arthurstone Terrace, Dundee

The public library at 5 Arthurstone Terrace in Dundee was designed by William Alexander between 1903 and 1904, with completion by James Thomson. This Jacobean-style building features two storeys and a basement, constructed from red ashlar stone.

The elevation facing Arthurstone Terrace has an advanced gable on the right, which includes a five-light mullioned and transomed projection that extends through both floors. Above this projection is a heavily consoled sculptured balcony on the first floor, with a balustraded parapet topped with obelisk finials. The gable is stepped and has a small segmental pediment. To the left, there is a symmetrical section with three cross-windows, and a slightly advanced central bay that features a pilastered segmental arched doorpiece beneath a pedimented panel, also adorned with obelisk finials. The flanking windows have broken segmental pediments. The cornice on the first floor transitions into an open segmental pediment over a central triangular pedimented window, which rises into a stepped gablet topped with obelisks.

The elevation on Maitland Street is symmetrical with five windows. Alternate ground floor windows are cross-shaped and feature segmental pediments broken by obelisks. The central first floor window is pedimented within an open segmental pediment and a stepped gablet. The north and west elevations also have similar stepped gables, made of coursed rubble with plain window surrounds. The windows are single-paned, mullioned, and transomed. The building has steep slate roofs, an octagonal domed cupola, Ionic details, and arched louvred openings.

Additional features include wrought-iron railings and cast-iron rainwater goods. Inside, there is a tiled entrance and staircase, wrought-iron balusters, and pedimented doorpieces. The fine timber roof consists of double collar beams linked by an arcade on mock hammer beams.