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Summary

Description

Robert Brown, circa 1812-23. 37-bay terrace 2-and 3-storey over basements with attics, comprising unified 3-bay classical townhouse facade; central and terminal pavilions with main-door and common stair flats behind. Basement area to street including some vaulted cellars and retaining walls. Sandstone ashlar, droved at basement, channelled at ground floor. Entrance platts oversailing basement. Band course to 1st and 2nd floors. Moulded cill course to 2nd floor and plain cornice to attic. Various dormer styles and later additions at attic. Intricate wrought-iron balconies on foliate brackets at 1st floor. S (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATIONS, CENTRAL PAVILION: 3 storeys, 9 bays. Advanced 3 bays to centre. Round arched recessed panelled window surrounds to centre at ground floor. Architraved, corniced and bracketed windows to outer and central bays at 1st floor. Stepped parapet to centre with bas relief panel. Later additional 3-bay storey added to No. 18, slate hung. BLOCKS FLANKING CENTRAL PAVILION: round arched doorpieces with narrow sidelights and fanlights (some with radial glazing). Single later timber addition to attics spanning Nos. 14 and 15 with canted bays. TERMINAL PAVILIONS: E Pavilion: 5-bay 3-storey block with advanced end bays; stepped parapet. Central doorway and narrow sidelights to ground floor, entrance plat oversailing basement. Recessed and round arched window surrounds to end bays. Architraved corniced and bracketed openings at 1st floor, additional small scrolled brackets. Single bay return to W with blind balustrade between ground and 1st floors. Return to Walker Street similar to S elevation. W pavilion: Similar to that to E.

Predominantly 12- and 6- over 9-pane in timber sash and case windows with some later plate glass in timber sash and case. 4-panel timber doors. Double pitch M-section roof; grey slates Corniced ashlar stacks forming part parapet to wallhead; ashlar ridge stacks. Intricate wrought-iron balconies at 1st floor. Railings edging basement recess to street with spear headed finials. Cast-iron rainwater goods.

Statement of Special Interest

A Group with 12 -22 Coates Crescent (see separate listing). A well-detailed classical crescent which forms a focal point within the planning of the Western New Town and the entrance to the former Walker Estate. Fine details such as the delicate cast-iron balconies have been retained, as has the subtle curve of the crescent with later alterations not affecting the building line. The grouping of the suite of classical terraces, including Atholl Crescent is strengthened by its completeness. Coates Crescent was one of the first parts of the former Walker Estate to be built, and is a key terrace within the wider planning of Edinburgh's New Town. Its treatment as a cohesive block is reminiscent of Robert Reid in the northern New Town, of whom Robert Brown was a pupil.

Coates Crescent was owned by Sir Patrick Walker and he developed it as part of a plan by Architect Robert Brown for the whole of the Walker estate (including Melville Street). Coates Crescent forms an addition to the original plan of 1808 which was relatively modest in scale until additions in 1813. Coates Crescent was one of the earliest parts of the plan to be built, and construction was well underway by 1819. The plots were tightly controlled and this was instrumental in the achievement of the well spaced palace fronted design. It is not known whether Brown designed the elevations himself or was merely responsible for the plan. Some documentary evidence seems to suggest that Tait (architect of the nearby Shandwick Place) also worked here.

Robert Brown was an experienced architect, and by the time he was involved with the deigns for the Walker Estate he had already designed several other urban schemes, including between 1810 and 1830 laying out streets in Portobello on land belonging to the Marques of Abercorn. His other notable works include Newington and St. Leonard's church (now The Queen's Hall) and the rearrangement of the interiors for Yester House on behalf of the Marques of Tweeddale. Robert Brown worked on a number of smaller projects in the New Town but the cohesive planning of the Walker estate is amongst one of the best examples of his work. He was especially competent in the design of corner pavilions and parades of shops, as can be seen in his work at North West Circus Place (see separate listing).

(List description updated 2009 as part of re-survey)

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