5 -7 Abbot Street, Dunfermline

Wardrop and Reid, 1882-83 remodelling of circa 1840 building. 2-storey and basement and attic; 3-bay; rectangular-plan; classical/Jacobean office building with Dutch gable, pedimented dormers and Doric porches to principal (N) elevation. Sandstone ashlar with polished ashlar dressings to principal elevation; stugged and rubble side elevations; harled rear (S) elevation. Base course, band course between ground and 1st floors and eaves band and moulded cornice to principal and part of side elevations; balustraded parapet and raised quoins to principal elevation. Architraved openings throughout.

N (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: projecting Dutch gabled entrance bay to right. Steps up to adjoining pair of entrances (that to right now a window); each with Doric porch (entablature supported on pair of columns with pilasters set back flanking entrances). 2-leaf panelled timber door. Ground floor window to central bay; canted 3-light window to left; pilastered mullions and flanking pilasters. Single window with frieze and cornice to each bay to 1st floor; apron to central one. Pilastered dormer with broken bed pediment to each bay above; thistle, shamrock and rose motifs to pediments. Ornate pilastered 3-stage Dutch gable with semicircular pediment to right bay. Angle piers surmounted by urns.

W ELEVATION: 2 gable-ended sections and slightly lower section to right; left gable is shaped and flanked by angle piers surmounted by urns. Central entrance to left section; late 20th century part-glazed door with rectangular fanlight; narrow window to right to ground and 1st floors. 6-light stair window to left of central section.

S ELEVATION: 2 gable-ended sections. 2 bays to left and one to right. Single window to each bay to basement, ground and 1st floors. Small basement window between 2nd and 3rd bays.

E ELEVATION: adjoins adjacent library via late 20th century enclosed walkway at 1st floor level.

Mainly 2-light timber sash and case windows. Grey slate roof. Pair of flanking ashlar wallhead stacks incised like pilasters with friezes and moulded cornices to E and W elevations. Cans mostly missing.

INTERIOR: retains original staircase with decorative cast-iron balusters and coloured and leaded glass stair windows and coloured and leaded glass stair window.