A restrained early nineteenth-century house conceals an exceptionally elaborate sequence of plasterwork and chimneypieces.
Quick facts
- Date
- Early 19th century; rear projection before 1856
- Architect / designer
- Designer unrecorded
- Type
- Classical end-terrace house
- Designation
- Listed building, Category A (LB26749)
- OS grid reference
- NT 30938 73811
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The two-storey ashlar front is composed in three bays with a deeply recessed semicircular entrance and broad radial fanlight. Inside, fan vaulting, cupola ribs, decorative cornices and marble fireplaces provide an unusually rich contrast.
Its story
The house was built early in Portobello’s nineteenth-century expansion and had acquired a rear projection before the 1856 town map. National listing later recognised both its disciplined exterior and outstanding interior decoration.
Why it is included
The Category A house shows that Portobello’s architectural distinction is not confined to public buildings or the seafront.
What to notice
- Semicircular entrance recess and radial fanlight.
- Finely droved ashlar frontage.
- Cupola visible within the roof platform.
Reading the surroundings
This is a private home. Appreciate only what can be seen from public space, do not enter the grounds and do not expect access to the significant interior.
Timeline
- Early 19th century A finely finished house was built at the end of the terrace.
- Before 1856 A mapped rear projection enlarged the original plan.
- 1970 Category A listing recognised the exceptional building.
- 1992 Supplementary designation information was updated.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The exact building year and designer are unrecorded, while the interior is not publicly accessible for routine inspection.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: 31 Bellfield Street, LB26749 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- British Listed Buildings: 31 Bellfield Street — Independent designation transcription, location and summary of the house and interior.
Location
OS grid reference NT 30938 73811 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; the independent source confirms the Place relationship, history or current identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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