Basic Site Details | Name: | Union Bank of Scotland | | City or county: | Edinburgh | | Country: | Scotland | | Parish: | | | Status: | A listed | | Grid ref: | | | Notes: | EDINBURGH - New offices are about to be erected for the Union Bank in Edinburgh. Mr David Bryce, RSA, is the architect. The facade presents three floors, with attics, over a sunk basement, In the centre of the ground floor is the main entrance, approached through a portico of Ionic columns, two of which are placed on each side. The doorway is flanked with pilasters, and surmounted by a semicircular pediment enriched with carving. On either side of this central feature are three plain windows, separated by massive piers, and at each end of the block is a doorway and portico repeating the details of the main entrance on a smaller scale. The main entrance gives access to a spacious hall, on one side of which, with windows to the front, are a waiting-room and room for secretary's clerks: and on the other, a waiting-room and directors' room. On the left side of the hall, behind the front rooms, is the entrance to the telling-room, which measures fully 80 feet in length by nearly 50 feet wide. [Building News 17 July 1874 p96]
EDINBURGH - On Monday the head office in Edinburgh of the Union Bank of Scotland was transferred from Parliament-square to the new premises in George-street. These were designed by the late Mr. David Bryce, R.S.A, in a style of elegant simplicity, relying for effect on symmetrical proportion and congruity of parts. The frontage, measuring over 100ft. in length, presents on the ground floor three entrances, each having a portico of Ionic columns. The first-floor windows are flanked with pilasters, and surmounted by triangular pediments; while those of the second-floor have architraves and moulded sills, the wall head being furnished with a rich cornice and stone balustrade. Of the internal arrangements, the leading feature is the telling-room, which is reached by a door on the left of the central entrance hall. This is a spacious apartment, formed partly in the main building, but chiefly in an annexe of one story, occupying a portion of the ground to the rear. It has a coved ceiling, richly panelled in stucco work, and pierced with lights, and is fitted up with the usual desks and counters in tastefully-wrought mahogany. In convenient proximity to the telling-room are the manager's room, accountant's room, and necessary waiting rooms, a board-room for the directors being also provided on the George-street front. In the sunk basement are a library, with due provision of safes for various bank purposes; while the two upper flats of the building are appropriated as dwellings. The plans have been carried out under the supervision of Mr John Bryce, nephew of the architect by whom they were prepared ; the building work having been executed by Messrs. Beattie and Sons, and the fitting up of the telling-room and other cabinet furnishings by Messrs John Taylor and Son. [Building News 6 September 1878 p252]
The work by Henry Wylie may be on a different Bank of Scotland in George Street. | Alternative Names| The following alternative names are associated with this building/design: | | | Name | Current name? | Notes |  | Bank of Scotland | | |
Building Type Classification| The building is classified under the following categories: | | | Classification | Original classification? | Notes | | Bank | | |
Street Addresses| The following street addresses are associated with this building: | | | Address | Main entrance? | Notes | | 62-66, George Street | Yes | Including 48 Rose Street North Lane |
Events| The following date-based events are associated with this building: | | | From | To | Event type | Notes | | 1874 | After 1876 | Build/construction | | | September 1878 | | Opened | | | c. 1939 | | | Alterations | | 1960s | | Alterations and additions | Interior reorganisation and improvement scheme. | | 1977 | | Alteration/conversion | Restoration and cleaning of front and modification of the interior, the work of John Bryce. |
PeopleDesign and Construction
ReferencesBibliographic References| The following books contain references to this building: | | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Gifford, John, McWilliam, Colin and Walker, David M | 1984 | Edinburgh (The Buildings of Scotland) | | Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd | p303 | | Grant, James | 1883 | | Old and New Edinburgh | | vol II, p151 | | Groome, Francis H | | Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-85) | | Edinburgh, London & Glasgow: Thomas C Jack, Grange Publishing Works | vol II, p496 |
Periodical References| The following periodicals contain references to this building: | | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Builder | 26 June 1875 | XXXIII | | | | Builder | 21 September 1878 | XXXVI | | | | Building News | 17 July 1874 | | | p96 | | Building News | 6 September 1878 | | | p252 - opening | | Edinburgh Evening Courant | 2 January 1877 | | | |
Archive References| The following archives hold material relating to this building: | | | Source | Archive name | Source catalogue no. | Notes | | Bank of Scotland, 62 George Street | Union Bank perspective drawing | | Perspective formerly hanging in Bank | | Edinburgh City Archives | Edinburgh Dean of Guild | | nine sheets dated 17 June 1874 | | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | 28873 | | | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | Lorimer and Matthew Collection | | LOR E/276 | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F no6138 (Combined Box 139) |
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