28 Queen Street, Edinburgh
James Nisbet developed Nos. 28 and 29 Queen Street in 1789. He had an enthusiasm for the geometric plans of Robert Adam and introduced as many curved walls and interesting shapes into the standard Edinburgh three-bay plan as possible. The semi-circular central stair rises to a spectacular decorated cupola. After 160 years of residential use, the houses were bought by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. The Institute moved in 2001 and the houses were acquired by a developer for subdivision into flats. Work was well underway when it was decided that No. 28 should become a club for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. This allowed a more sympathetic restoration and eliminated the need for subdivision.
The interior was in poor condition and blighted by alterations; little original joinery was left and the fireplaces had been stolen. Fortunately there was sufficient evidence remaining in the principal rooms for faithful restoration. An original trompe l'oeil decorative scheme, uncovered in the elliptical dining room, was carefully conserved. Reinstatement of the attic stair allowed the restoration of the cupola and main stair with its projecting chamber floor landing. Missing external lamps, balustrading, balconies and astragals were also replaced, thus recapturing the integrity of Nisbet's original design.
