60 George Square, Edinburgh
James Brown 1774-79, with alterations and additions. One of a rectangular plan classical style houses forming a terrace, now a series of university departments. Numbers 55-59 Craigleith droved ashlar; number 60 (shown) has interesting squared snecked pink and cream Craigmillar rubble sandstone with blue whin pinnings. Set on ground sloping north to south and forming the north east portion of George Square. Roman Doric doorcases (some with coupled columns) with elided friezes; number 60 with later Greek Ionic doorcase. Tall corniced gable stacks with yellow clay cans.
Numbers 55-60 George Square designed by the architect James Brown in 1766 and built from 1774-79 is an important surviving component of the square. The classical details and regulated style of windows give the terrace coherence although there is considerable variation in the materials used in construction. The concept of terraces with individual houses designed for occupation by one family was relatively new in Edinburgh where tenement living had been the norm and proved an immediate success with the aristocracy and leading citizens. This part of the square is little altered externally and while there have been a number successive occupants and uses, there are many surviving 18th century interior features.
Some small scale projects such as Brown Square also designed by James Brown and John Adam's Adam Square (both now demolished) had been built in the early 1760s in Edinburgh but George Square represents a milestone in the development of planning because of its size and the coherence of its design.
The conception of James Brown's George Square probably predates James Craig's New Town plan by a number of months. The Town Council of Edinburgh resolved to set up a subcommittee to develop the New Town project and to advertise a competition for a plan in January 1766. In May of that year competition entries were received and the results became known in August. However by comparison, James Brown had acquired the lands on which George Square is built in 1761 and the first occupant had moved into the square during 1766. The scheme must have been proposed some time before.
60 George Square, Edinburgh
James Brown 1774-79, with alterations and additions. One of a rectangular plan classical style houses forming a terrace, now a series of university departments. Numbers 55-59 Craigleith droved ashlar; number 60 (shown) has interesting squared snecked pink and cream Craigmillar rubble sandstone with blue whin pinnings. Set on ground sloping north to south and forming the north east portion of George Square. Roman Doric doorcases (some with coupled columns) with elided friezes; number 60 with later Greek Ionic doorcase. Tall corniced gable stacks with yellow clay cans.
Numbers 55-60 George Square designed by the architect James Brown in 1766 and built from 1774-79 is an important surviving component of the square. The classical details and regulated style of windows give the terrace coherence although there is considerable variation in the materials used in construction. The concept of terraces with individual houses designed for occupation by one family was relatively new in Edinburgh where tenement living had been the norm and proved an immediate success with the aristocracy and leading citizens. This part of the square is little altered externally and while there have been a number successive occupants and uses, there are many surviving 18th century interior features.
Some small scale projects such as Brown Square also designed by James Brown and John Adam's Adam Square (both now demolished) had been built in the early 1760s in Edinburgh but George Square represents a milestone in the development of planning because of its size and the coherence of its design.
The conception of James Brown's George Square probably predates James Craig's New Town plan by a number of months. The Town Council of Edinburgh resolved to set up a subcommittee to develop the New Town project and to advertise a competition for a plan in January 1766. In May of that year competition entries were received and the results became known in August. However by comparison, James Brown had acquired the lands on which George Square is built in 1761 and the first occupant had moved into the square during 1766. The scheme must have been proposed some time before.