Description

1862 with circa 1930 additions to sides. 2-storey, 5-bay classical temple fronted public building with addition of 1930s Modern Movement outer bays. Red sandstone ashlar; painted for 1930s additions. Base course, entablature, corncie, pediment; parapet. Bipartite round-headed windows, aprons.

E (MAIN) ELEVATION: symmetrical temple front, bounded by railings and gates (described below). Giant order Doric quatrostyle portico supporting balustraded parapet, triangular pediment rising behind at centre, datestone 1862 at centre. 5-bay building, 3 doors at centre ground, letterbox fanlight; flanking broad architraved blind windows. 5 bipartites now blocked; plain ashlar parapet rising behind balustraded parapet. 1930s curved flanking bays to outer left and right, flat-roofed with ashlar coping, strip windows symmetrically disposed at ground, 1st floor.

S ELEVATION (BRIDGE ST) : squared and snecked rubble 5-bay hall with 1930s block clasping at corner. Hall with blank bays divided by pilaster strips; single storey wing advanced at centre ground, 2-bay piend-roofed block to right, bipartite; recessed entrance to outer left, narrow round-headed door, keystone, steps.

N ELEVATION (BANK ST) : 4 broad bays, 1930s block clasping left corner. 2 bays to left, bipartite at ground, 1st floor; bays to right slightly recessed, 2 bipartites at upper stage; round-headed door, biaprtite immediately to right, door to outer right.

Windows on main elevation blocked; fixed 4-pane, top-hopper windows. Grey slate piend roof.

INTERIOR : not seen 1995.

BOUNDARY WALL AND PORTALS: low pink granite reataining wall with grey granite coping to front of builidng, decorative wrought-iron railings; Flanking Egypto-classical battered portals,keystone, cornice.

Statement of Interest

This is a striking Classical temple-fronted building which is one of the few remaining historic public buildings in Alexandria. The building was built as a public hall and was used as a cinema from the 1930s until circa 1973. The side additions date from this change of use to a cinema.

Notes and references updated as part of Cinemas Thematic Study 2007-08.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17847668

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

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  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
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  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
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  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)