The Dome

Originally the site of the old Physicians Hall (1775) built by James Craig (1744-95) and demolished to make way for the current building (1847), The Dome was built as the head office of the Commercial Bank of Scotland. The architect David Rhind (1808 - 1883) based his new frontage on William Playfair's original scheme for the Surgeons Hall, with the grand bronze entrance doors commemorative of the old Physicians' Hall. Inside the building, is a top lit square entrance hall with superimposed Ionic columns and beyond is the magnificent domed banking hall, with its rich scheme of decoration. The hall includes marble columns and a mosaic floor incorporating the arms of the Bank. Fine windows, which also include the arms, together with a representation of Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, were installed in 1930.

The amalgamation of The Commercial Bank of Scotland with The National Bank of Scotland (1959) and its subsequent amalgamation with The Royal Bank of Scotland (1969) left no need for the building as a head office and it became the grandest branch office of the bank. In 1993, the Royal Bank decided this situation was no longer viable and transferred business to their St. Andrew Square headquarters and the building was sold to undergo conversion into the spectacular bar, cafe and night-club which can be seen today. Opened in 1996, this large venue also offers a 1930s-style cocktail bar, private dining and conference suites.


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