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Edinburgh Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, Edinburgh: designs for alterations to the Assembly Rooms, c.1787, unexecuted (7)
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Edinburgh Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, Edinburgh: designs for alterations to the Assembly Rooms, c.1787, unexecuted (7)
Notes
In 1781, a site in the New Town on George Street had been chosen to build a new assembly rooms which was funded by public subscription raised by the City. Invitations for plans were advertised in December 1781 and the architect John Henderson was commissioned to make designs and build the new assembly rooms. Henderson’s design cost over £6,000 and the building was constructed between 1782-87.
At some point after completion, Robert Adam made designs for alterations to the existing building. It is not clear who requested these or for what reason. These ambitious plans were not executed but the proposed portico on the principal (north) elevation could have possibly influenced the portico which was added in 1817-18 by William Burn.
Literary references: A.T. Bolton, The Architecture of Robert and James Adam, 1922, Volume II, Index, p.10; D. King, The Complete Works of Robert & James Adam and Unbuilt Adam, 2001, Volume 2, p. 54; J. Gifford, C. McWilliam (eds.), The Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh, 1991, pp. 281-282
Louisa Catt, 2023
At some point after completion, Robert Adam made designs for alterations to the existing building. It is not clear who requested these or for what reason. These ambitious plans were not executed but the proposed portico on the principal (north) elevation could have possibly influenced the portico which was added in 1817-18 by William Burn.
Literary references: A.T. Bolton, The Architecture of Robert and James Adam, 1922, Volume II, Index, p.10; D. King, The Complete Works of Robert & James Adam and Unbuilt Adam, 2001, Volume 2, p. 54; J. Gifford, C. McWilliam (eds.), The Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh, 1991, pp. 281-282
Louisa Catt, 2023
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Contents of Edinburgh Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, Edinburgh: designs for alterations to the Assembly Rooms, c.1787, unexecuted (7)
- [1] Finished drawing for the basement of the Assembly Rooms, c.1787, unexecuted
- [2] Finished drawing for the principal floor of the assembly rooms, c.1787, unexecuted
- [3] Finished drawing for the second floor of the assembly rooms, c.1787, unexecuted
- [4] Finished drawing for alterations to the elevation of the assembly rooms and flanking buildings, c.1787, unexecuted
- [5] Preliminary design for alterations to the rear elevation of the assembly rooms, c.1787, unexecuted
- [6] Finished drawing for alterations to the rear elevation of the assembly rooms, c.1787, unexecuted
- [7] Finished drawing for a section through the assembly rooms, c.1787, unexecuted