A formal nineteenth-century terrace now houses students and summer visitors close to the university centre.
Quick facts
- Date
- Terrace begun 1865; acquired and adapted by the university in 1921
- Architect / designer
- John Chesser
- Type
- Classical ashlar terrace houses adapted as a university residence
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB40904)
- OS grid reference
- NO 50545 16905
Architecture and continuing use
Three-storey ashlar fronts rise above a channelled ground floor beneath a continuous classical cornice. The disciplined crescent composition conceals the later joining and adaptation of former houses and hotel accommodation.
Its story
John Chesser began the Abbotsford Crescent terrace in 1865. Part later became the Chattan Hotel, which the University of St Andrews acquired in 1921 and developed as McIntosh Hall.
Why it is included
The hall demonstrates how a large residential terrace has sustained changing forms of hospitality and university life.
What to notice
- The continuous cornice unifying separate former houses.
- Channelled masonry at ground-floor level.
- Regular window rhythm following the curve of the crescent.
Reading the surroundings
This is student accommodation with privacy and safeguarding requirements. Seasonal visitor stays and university arrangements provide controlled access; do not enter residential areas casually.
Timeline
- Terrace begun 1865 John Chesser began the Abbotsford Crescent terrace in 1865.
- Present Active catered student hall of residence and seasonal visitor accommodation.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Historic sources spell the statutory group “Macintosh”, while the university uses “McIntosh Hall”; this record follows the current institutional name.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: McIntosh Hall, St Andrews, LB40904 — Designation category, mapped location, construction phases, fabric, authorship and architectural interest.
- University of St Andrews: McIntosh Hall — Current residential use, history as the Chattan Hotel, facilities and address.
- University of St Andrews: summer accommodation at McIntosh Hall — Current seasonal visitor-accommodation use and access context.
Location
OS grid reference NO 50545 16905 · Location confidence: High: the HES designation supplies a mapped National Grid Reference and a current operator, council, congregation or institutional source confirms the Place relationship and present 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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