Ayr Central Conservation Area Character Appraisal - South Ayrshire ...

Ayr Central Conservation Area Character Appraisal
Part One
Apart from the main architectural set pieces and buildings of historical interest, a number of
other buildings are considered to make a significant contribution to the townscape or setting
of the Ayr Central Conservation Area. These are either individual buildings that provide
variety or structure to the street scene, or groups of buildings that have a combined impact.
Omission from the following selection does not imply a lack of merit, rather that there is not
space to describe every building of interest, and that the selected buildings appear to have a
particular presence. Buildings visible from, or on the approaches to, the Conservation Area
are also mentioned.
Wellington Chambers, 62–74 (Even Nos) Fort St and 2–10 (Even Nos) Fullarton St
Designed in 1895 by H V Eaglesham, this large red sandstone block of tenements is a
significant presence opposite the southern end of the Sandgate.
Early and mid 19th–century terraces
A number of fine unified terraces of houses contribute to the character of the inner suburbs
of Ayr. Notable examples include: Fullarton Street (c1800), Barns Street (c1800), Alloway
Place (c 1800), Wellington Square (1808), Charlotte Street (1813), Queen’s Terrace (c1845),
Barns Terrace (1845–60), Eglinton Terrace (1860s), Miller Road (1860s), Dalblair Road
(1880).
Late 19th/early 20th–century corner blocks
Ayr possesses a number of high quality tenement and shop blocks that articulate the street
junctions with a variety of gables, towers and domes, particularly at the south end of the town
centre. Valuable examples include: 77–85 (Odd Nos) Dalblair Road and 54–62 (Even Nos)
Alloway Street (1896, J K Hunter); 18 Smith Street (1897); 48–52 (even nos.) Smith Street
(circa 1895); 67–71 (Odd Nos.) Sandgate (1911, J R Johnstone); and the curving group at
1–23 (odd nos.) Burns Statue Square (Nos. 1–7, James A Morris, 1901; Nos. 9–15, William
Cowie, 1900; Nos. 17–23, J & HV Eaglesham, 1894). Unlisted blocks of lesser impact are:
2–6 (even nos.) Main Street; 34–36 (even nos.) Main Street; 26–30 (even nos.) Fort Street.
Ayr Academy, Fort Street
With its imposing classical frontage of 1880 by Clarke & Bell, Ayr Academy dominates the
northern end of Fort Street. To the side is a large art school extension of 1907 by James A
Morris, with expansive north-facing windows overlooking the River Ayr.
48–52 Smith Street.
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