Transcript of news article about Duncan Street design
Newspaper article from 'The Evening Dispatch' newspaper, Friday 9 April 1909:
The Edinburgh Geographical Institute
Falconhall façade preserved
We illustrate above [image shows an artist's impression of the Duncan Street building] the very handsome building the plans of which were before the Dean of Guild Court yesterday, for a new Geographical Institute for Messrs J Bartholomew & Co, who are removing from their present premises at Park Road. The building is to be erected at the south-east corner of Duncan Street and South Grey Street, with the principal frontage towards Duncan Street. The front building, which is of a highly ornamental character, contains the general offices, etc., while in a one-story building behind are placed rooms for artists etc, and all the necessary processes for the production of maps. The whole building will be carried out in the most modern construction. The front building is set back from the line of the street; the principal feature of this is the noble two-storied façade, the lower portion forming the entrance portico, and the upper portion consisting of eight fluted columns, each about 15 feet high, with carved classical capitals, and surmounted by a large pediment. This portion, which is purely ornamental, projects from the centre of the building; and at each end of the front are projecting wings designed with pilasters, so as to be in harmony and yet not compete with the centre portico. There is an additional interest attached to the front of this building, from the fact that the whole of the centre portico is to be built from the stones of Falcon Hall, Morningside Road, lately residence of Dr Bartholomew, but now pulled down in order to build tenements. The architect is Mr H Ramsey Taylor, FRIBA of Messrs Cousin, Ormiston and Taylor, architect and surveyors, 140 Princes Street.
