George Square, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

12579

Title

George Square, Edinburgh

Description

Aerial photograph of George Square and the surrounding university buildings.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1973

Size

19.5 x 24.9 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

George Square was built in 1766 by James Brown and was popular with with richer citizens who found the Old Town too crowded. Some of the original Georgian houses still exist, although there were some changes in the late 19th century, but by the 1950s the University of Edinburgh had bought most of the properties and started the controversial redevelopment which involved demolishing much of the square.

Many of these newer buildings are now listed, including 40 George Square (formerly the David Hume Tower) designed by Sir Robert Matthew and the 1967 University Library building designed by Sir Basil Spence.

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Related subjects

Education > Educational facilities > Universities and colleges

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Homes > Residential buildings > Tower blocks

Landscape > Landscape architectural facilities > Gardens

Places > Edinburgh areas > Southside

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > University of Edinburgh

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Plants > Trees > Trees

Religion > Religious facilities > Churches

Transport > Infrastructure > Streets

Transport > Land > Cars