28-32, Marischal Street, Aberdeen

3-storey with attic; 5-bay symmetrical classical townhouse on sloping site. Loanhead granite ashlar with raised margins; moulded eaves course. Central timber door; rectangular fanlight with oval timber tracery. Double-leaf door (No 32) to left with identical fanlight and 6-pane fixed windows flanking. Further timber door at 5th bay with fixed-pane window to right. 3 canted piended dormers.

Nos 28-32 is a fine example of the early Classicism seen throughout Marischal Street's lengthy run. The building contains a good interior with 18th Century timber panelling and plasterwork furnishing the 1st floor rooms. The house was built around 1780 by William Dauney, architect and uncle of Archibald Simpson (foremost architect of Classical Aberdeen). It was built for William Young who went on to become Lord Provost from 1811 to 1815. Marischal Street (designed by William Law, 1767) is of considerable historic interest in terms of the early development of Classical Aberdeen and the refined classical styling of Nos 28-32 forms a significant part of the Street's lengthy run. The building was constructed at some point between 1789 (not shown on Alexander Milne's map of that date) and 1821 (shown on John Woods map).

Formed on the site of the Earl Marischal's lodging and linking Castlegate with the Harbour below, Marischal Street is carried on embankments down a partly vaulted incline. It is the earliest example of this type of construction in Aberdeen, anticipating the larger scale development of Union Street and Edinburgh's South Bridge by 20 years. Originally having a fine granite bridge half way down, this was demolished and replaced in 1983 along with adjacent Nos 36-38 and 37-39 to allow the widening of Virginia Street below.

The buildings occupying the Southern half of the street are attributed to William Smith (d.1812), father of John Smith (the renowned Aberdeen architect - b.1781) and are generally grander and more varied. The street as a whole retains much of its refinement and original character despite the gradual move from domestic to commercial ownership throughout 19th century. It is thought to be the first street in Aberdeen paved with square granite sets. (Historic Environment Scotland)

27 October 2017: Nominated for the Register by local planners as possibly empty above one retail unit at ground floor level. Gutters are choked with vegetation. Pigeons may have gained entry to upper floors through open windows. The rear elevation can be viewed from the adjacent car park. For Investigation.

21 February 2019: Local planners advise the upper floors remain vacant, one window has been boarded up and there are nesting pigeons. For Investigation

5 March 2019: External inspection finds this building vacant and in poor condition. There are broken and open windows, allowing pigeons to nest inside. Timber elements are in need of repair with some areas rotted. There is slate loss and gutters are blocked with extensive vegetation growths. Move to At Risk.