Edinburgh’s Art Deco Heritage 3. The Capital Building
Posted in Art Deco, Edinburgh at 14:10 on 7 March 2011
I’ve not done one of these Art Deco posts for a while, so it’s about time.
This is the Capital Building, on the corner of St Andrew’s Square and George Street, Edinburgh.
I wasn’t sure it is true Art Deco. It certainly has elements – horizontals and verticals – but looks more modern. The picture is a stitch of two to show both street facades. Below is a close up of the top of the entrance.
Statues above the door on Capital building, on corner of St Andrew’s Square and George Street, Edinburgh.
These have a bit of Art Deco look about them but could have been 1950s.
The building had a for sale/to let sign on it when I took the photo. This link (the property consultants) shows a view from further back than mine.
This site suggests the original was built in the 1930s and the window replacements were carried out to be as close to the originals as possible by Critall!
Tags: Art Deco, Critall windows, Edinburgh
jim
6 August 2012 at 23:26
Hello,
The GRE buidling at the corner of St. Andrew’s Square was completed in 1939 and was based on a Swedish design. It caused a lot of controversy at the time being built in the Georgian new Town.
The sculptures are by Edinburgh sculptor Alexander Carrick who was responsible for the Wallace statue at the entrance to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery Panels in the Scottish National War Memorial; and the Coat of Arms and allegorical figures high up on the face of St. Andrew’s House.
Cheers
Jim
jackdeighton
6 August 2012 at 23:39
Thanks for looking in, Jim, and for the information.
I wasn’t aware the figures were by the same guy whose work was on St Andrew’s House (which I have also featured on my blog.) He seems to have been busy!
Edinburgh’s Art Deco Heritage 8: George Street – A Son of the Rock -- Jack Deighton
20 May 2013 at 14:02
[…] abuts the very deco Capital Building on the corner of St Andrew’s […]
Lesley
2 October 2014 at 19:18
I was inside this building today, and the staircases is beautiful, there are stained glass windows at every level. They seem classically inspired rather than Art Deco. Drop me a line jack if you want to see pictures.
jackdeighton
2 October 2014 at 19:35
Thanks, Lesley.
Photographs would be good. I’ll get in touch.
Lucy
16 November 2020 at 02:42
I would like to learn more about these sculptures. I believe my grandfather, Vincent Mancini, an Italian immigrant, modelled for artists and sculptors around this time and may be the model featured in this statue
jackdeighton
16 November 2020 at 19:20
Lucy,
I’m sorry. I can’t help you. I know nothing about the sculptures.
If your grandfather modelled for artists and sculptors back then he may very well be depicted here.
Thanks for looking in and commenting.