23 Springfield, Dundee

23 Springfield, Dundee, is a group of buildings of high architectural merit, constructed between 1828 and 1851. The development was originally feued in 1830-1831, with initial construction occurring between 1830 and 1846, and further development completed by 1851. The layout was later modified to exclude Springfield House.

The buildings form a Neo-classical cul-de-sac, stepped up from the sea, and terminate with a semi-detached house to the north and short terraces along Perth Road.

Numbers 5-14 and 18-27 are largely two-storey, three-bay houses with a basement (some basements have been infilled), arranged in pairs, with the lower pairs alternately advanced and recessed, and later upper pairs on the same plane. Each pair features a central tetrastyle Doric portico and wrought and cast-iron balconies (most of which are now missing). Windows are set within lugged architraves, corniced at ground level, and with first-floor cill courses. A main cornice and balustrade run along the top of the terraces. Most of the recessed pairs have north ends defined by pilaster strips.

Numbers 15 and 16 are similarly styled but include a full-length ground floor colonnade. A modern addition exists to the west of number 15. Numbers 17 and 28 are single, three-bay houses, each with a portico to the left. Number 17 is connected to number 16 by a single-storey link.

The elevations along Perth Road consist of numbers 1-4 and 29-32, which are symmetrical eight-bay structures with the two bays at each end slightly advanced. These also feature central tetrastyle porticos. Number 1 is set at an angle to accommodate Perth Road and includes a trabeated porch on its side. Number 32 incorporates a later hemispherical, pilastered bow that rises through the ground and first floors. Number 3 has a restored balustrade and alterations including mullioned windows.

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 features a portico on its right side, with a wallhead stack that has been partly removed to accommodate a later slate mansard roof with consoled dormers.

The windows are generally sash and case, with most being later two-pane, although some are four or twelve-pane, and others are modern. The roofs are low-piended, covered in slate, with ridge stacks. The rear of the buildings are constructed of rubble. Some good, original plastered Ionic interiors survive. The original railings are missing. The development was designed by an eminent architect in Edinburgh, as noted in documents from January 28, 1830, and March 17, 1831.