53 Harrison Terrace, Elgin

A post-war public housing scheme comprising a linear terrace of 28 two-storey houses, built for Elgin Town Council between 1947-49 to the designs of architect John Wright. The terrace consists of nine separate blocks, which are symmetrically arranged in pairs or groups of four on either side of a central block of eight. The blocks of four and eight have two or three gabled bays (respectively) with round arched pends leading to the rear gardens. The blocks are harled (some off-white, some oatmeal) with ashlar dressings in reconstituted stone that include window rybats, and base and eaves courses.

The main (northwest) elevation of each dwelling is two or three bays with a bipartite window on the ground floor, divided by a stone mullion. The doorways are recessed behind round-headed arches supported on squat, engaged columns with scrolled capitals that imitate the arcaded 17th century details found in Elgin. The gabled side elevations are blank. The rear elevations (southeast) have three bays to the ground floor and two at first floor.

The slate roofs are steeply pitched with straight skews and ridge or end chimneystacks. The windows are uPVC or replacement timber sash and case, largely with 16-pane glazing at first floor and 12-pane at ground floor. A bow window has been inserted at No.5 and No.47 has metal casements. The doors are largely uPVC or timber replacements. Some dwellings have single-storey extensions to the rear.

The interiors of Nos. 1, 7, 15, 17, 35, 45 and 53 were seen in 2019. These are of a standardised plan with a living room, kitchen and bathroom on ground floor and three or four bedrooms on the first floor. The general layout has largely been retained throughout but the alcove and larder between the kitchen and former scullery has been removed in most dwellings, except for No.7. The internal decorative schemes largely date from the late 20th or early 21st centuries but No.7 has been minimally altered, retaining the simple internal scheme with vertically panelled timber doors and plain skirtings and architraves.

Boundary features include low-level walls fronting the main elevations, with simple pedestrian steel gates supported on squared piers. One set of vehicular steel gates remains. A number of boundary walls have had the openings enlarged and gates removed or replaced. Some walls have been entirely removed or replaced.