5 Tower Place, Leith: Historic Building Recording Report

Date 26 January 2023

Event ID 1189387

Category Recording

Type Standing Building Recording

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1189387

NT 27221 76779 AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned to carry out a Level 2 historic building survey of the former harbour and dock offices at No 5 Tower Place, Leith prior to its development from vacant offices to three flats. The former Harbour and Dock Offices for Leith at No 5 Tower Place were constructed in 1892 to designs by architect Charles S Robertson on recently reclaimed land that was previously being used as timber yards. A roughly square two-storey building with a three-storey wing in the north corner, it was designed in a very Classical style framed by double pilasters with an entrance porch and triangular pediment to the main elevation at Tower Place with carved stonework. The entrance foyer, which has retained much of its original form and character, has an impressive main entrance with double doors and a timber revolving door inside the porch. The main open well stair leads up to five main offices, the decorative ceilings, timber-panelled doors and fireplaces of which are still present, with smaller offices to the ground floor which also contains additional staff welfare rooms. In the early 20th century, the building was slightly extended to the south-west (rear) and then later was subject to a much larger extension forming the present flat complex which was refurbished in 2002. The Harbour and Dock office buildings were also expanded to the south-west, although these have all now been removed and a new flat complex constructed.

Information from D Sproat – AOC Archaeology Group

OASIS ID: aocarcha1-513217