The home of big finance with billions rumoured to pass through the Square's dozen or so institutions every year. Incumbents and former institutions include Cazenove and Anderson Consulting.
Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) was born at No. 16, Lister at No.9 and Earl Haig at No.34. The square was designed by Robert Adam who died before its completion.
Current residents of the Square include David Murray and the key member of the Scottish devolved government at Bute House. The park in the centre is off limits except at the Annual Edinburgh Book Festival when it is filled with marquees.
West Register House, Charlotte Square
1810-14 Robert Reid
Powerful building occupying former Church of St. George with strong vertical emphasis: a superb endpiece to George Street.
Georgian House (NTS), No. 7 Charlotte Square, 1792-, Robert Adam - protected and reposed work.
James Craig (1744-95) famously won the competition to masterplan an Edinburgh New Town when only 22 years old in 1766; Edinburgh New Town gradually absorbed much of the professional classes from the increasingly ramshackle Old Town. The New Town was mostly built of sandstone from Craigleath Quarry. Princes Street (1805) is uninteresting despite its fame, but Charlotte Square and George Street (after George III) contain many good works.
Charlotte Square images copyright Adrian Welch - see Edinburgh Photos
Buildings / photos for the Charlotte Square Architecture pages welcome:
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