8 Springfield, Dundee

8 Springfield is a Neo-classical terrace of houses constructed in Dundee between 1828 and 1851. The development was initially feued in 1830-1831, with the core section of Nos 1-6 and 24-32 completed by 1846, and subsequent modifications altering the original layout to exclude Springfield House. The terraces are arranged in a cul-de-sac, stepped upwards from the sea, terminating with a semi-detached house to the north and smaller terraces along Perth Road.

The majority of the houses, Nos 5-14 and 18-27, are two-storey structures with basement levels (some of which have been infilled), arranged in pairs. Each pair features a central tetrastyle Doric portico, originally accompanied by wrought and cast-iron balconies (now largely absent), and windows set within lugged architraves, corniced at ground level, with first-floor cill courses. A main cornice and balustrade run along the terrace. The lower pairs are alternately advanced and recessed, while the upper pairs sit on the same plane. All but the recessed pairs have their north ends defined by pilaster strips. Nos 15 and 16 share a similar style but possess a full-length ground-floor colonnade. A modern addition is located west of No 15. Nos 17 and 28 are single, three-bay houses each with a portico on the left side, and a single-storey link connects No 17 to No 16.

The elevations facing Perth Road comprise Nos 1-4 and 29-32, each being symmetrical eight-bay arrangements, with the end bays slightly advanced. They are similarly styled with central tetrastyle porticos. No 1 is positioned at an angle to accommodate Perth Road and includes a trabeated porch to the side. No 32 features a Doric portico, cast-iron balcony, and a later hemispherical, pilastered bow rising through the ground and first floors. Balustrading at No 3 has been altered.

The corner houses, Nos 4 and 29, are two bays wide facing Perth Road and three bays wide facing Springfield, and share a consistent style. No 4 has a central portico and a panelled wallhead stack to Springfield, with recent restoration of the balustrade. No 29 features a portico on the right and a wallhead stack that has been partially removed to accommodate a later slate mansard roof with consoled dormers.

The houses originally featured sash and case windows, most of which are now later two-pane replacements, although some retain four- or twelve-pane glazing, or have been updated with modern windows. The roofs are low-pitched and slate covered, with ridge stacks. The rear elevations are constructed of rubble. Some good, original plastered Ionic interiors still survive within the properties. Historic documents from 1830 and 1831 reference the feuing of the land “according to a much approved plan by an eminent architects in Edinburgh”. Original iron railings are now missing.