Latest news with #RobertAdam
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Landmark Edinburgh office project sees restoration of historic Robert Adam townhouse
'The Auction Rooms is a bold addition to Edinburgh's office market at a time when demand for premium, central workspace is stronger than ever' Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A landmark office development housed in a listed Georgian property has completed in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town amid strong occupier demand in the capital. The restoration project has transformed the former Bonhams Auction House on Queen Street into The Auction Rooms, with developers promising a 'seamless blend of historic architecture and modern functionality'. The new office space sits within a Grade A Listed Georgian townhouse, designed by the renowned architect Robert Adam, in 1784. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Led by Edinburgh-based Atom Group, with design by Studio LBA and interiors by Nicola McMurray Design Studio, the restoration is said to blend original features, such as grand staircases, ornate cornicing, and arched doorways, with 'contemporary design tailored to modern business needs'. The redevelopment is already at full occupancy. An external view of The Auction Rooms at 22 Queen Street in Edinburgh's New Town. Picture by Angus Behm Lynsay Bell, managing director of Studio LBA, said: 'It's been a privilege to work on such an architecturally distinct building, originally crafted by a pioneering figure in architectural history. Our strategy focused on preserving its stunning Georgian features while optimising the space as a modern, functional office environment. 'The Auction Rooms is a triumph of adaptive reuse and conservation, and a bold addition to Edinburgh's office market at a time when demand for premium, central workspace is stronger than ever.' Communal areas in the building feature soft lighting, 'plush furnishings' and 'relaxed breakout zones', while the meeting rooms and private offices are finished with 'bespoke joinery, statement lighting and custom furniture', developers noted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mark McMeekin, director at Atom Group, added: 'With the building now fully let and a growing waiting list, demand for high-quality workspaces across major cities is clear. To meet that, we're opening a sister building in the capital and launching MOTA, our new operating brand for serviced offices.' An internal view of one of the suites within The Auction Rooms on Queen Street, Edinburgh. Picture by Angus Behm Meanwhile, another refurbished Edinburgh office building is nearing full occupation after securing a key letting with a global recruitment giant. Hays is moving its Edinburgh operation into 2 Lochrin Square after taking the entirety of the development's upper-most floor - just over 4,000 square feet of space. Located in the heart of Edinburgh's Exchange District, 2 Lochrin Square forms half of the overall Lochrin Square development, incorporating the property's original B-listed façade. The property has undergone a major refurbishment programme in recent years to enhance its sustainability. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Several new amenities have also been added, with secure indoor cycle storage and a bicycle repair stand, upgraded showers and changing rooms, a tenant gym with Peloton bikes, and a communal rooftop and lounges. The deal with Hays leaves 2 Lochrin Square with just one fully-fitted suite remaining on the ground floor, which includes kitchen and meeting space. Among the office building's current occupiers are renewable energy groups Orsted, OEG, and Bluefloat Energy and Nadara Partnership, along with telecommunications consultancy FarrPoint. Joint property agents Knight Frank and JLL represented the building's manager - global real estate business Jamestown.
Glasgow Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Discover the 'beautiful' National Trust gem in London
The National Trust site, Osterley Park and House, is a grand Georgian country estate in west London in Isleworth. Perfect for children and adults, the estate has lots to explore and will keep everyone entertained. Osterley Park and House is easy to get to, with buses H91 and E8 on route, or you can take the Piccadilly to Osterley and take a 10-minute walk to the house. You can find out more about Osterley Park and House via the National Trust website. The National Trust site gem in London Osterley Park and House is a neo-classical mansion that was originally a Tudor house built in the 1570s before being acquired by banker Sir Francis Child in 1713. The home was passed down to the generations of Sir Francis's family, and in 1761, Scottish architect Robert Adam was hired to remodel and transform the grand mansion. Adam worked on Osterley for nearly 20 years, making it into a stunning home inspired by his travels around Europe. During the 1930s, the mansion was known as a 'party house', hosting many celebrity parties with Hollywood stars and even featuring in magazines. Osterley has also been the backdrop for many hit films and shows, including The Dark Knight Rises, Vanity Fair and The Crown. Visits to Osterely House are encouraged to explore the interior of the home to see Adams' creation. Osterley Park and House is open daily from 9am to 5pm each day, however, areas of the National Trust vary in opening times. Tickets are free for National Trust members, and there is a range of ticket options for both house and garden or just the garden. You can get tickets via the National Trust. On TripAdvisor, one guest said: "The parklands were amazing. Didn't have time to go round the main house, but it is Robert Adam at his best. Recommended Reading "The café is a wonderful conversion of the stables and has a great choice and friendly staff." Another guest said: "A lovely relaxing place to visit. T "The house is fascinating and the garden and grounds are beautiful."
Calgary Herald
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Border Insecurity: Canadian musicians face volatile tour life under Trump
Article content TORONTO — Canadian country singer Robert Adam recorded their new album in Nashville, but under the political tumult of U.S. President Donald Trump, the musician doesn't plan to travel stateside to promote it. Article content The Calgary-based non-binary artist says they contemplated their decision for several months, weighing past negative experiences as a queer person visiting the United States against the importance of the U.S. market for emerging musicians. Article content Article content But after hearing about the obstacles faced by some transgender musicians in obtaining U.S. working visas, Adam said they are confident they've made the right decision to skip the country on their upcoming tour. Article content Article content '(I'm) pretty non-binary presenting, pretty femme … it's hard not to see that I kind of stick out,' they said in a phone interview. Article content 'I don't want to spend my life stressed out over whether I feel like I have to … tone down my image, or what I have to say, just to exist and play a show.' Article content An order issued in January by the Trump administration declared that the United States will only recognize two sexes, male and female, and that government documents must reflect the one assigned at birth. Article content This would mean trans and non-binary entertainers might have to misgender themselves in hopes of getting approval. Article content Some Canadians also have an X gender marker on their passport, and while Adam doesn't, they said the possibility of invasive questions about their gender or being detained at the U.S. border far outweighs the upside. Article content Article content And so, they will tour elsewhere. Article content Article content After several Canadian dates, Adam plans to head to the United Kingdom and Japan, where they feel their brand of queer country music will be more warmly received. Article content 'It's important to me that we go to spaces where I can do those things freely and … inspire others to do the same,' they added. Article content Other Canadian artists, both within the LGBTQ+ community and outside it, are asking themselves whether touring the United States is worth the ethical compromise or safety risks it may present. Article content More than 200 musicians, managers and other industry players attended a panel that included two U.S. immigration lawyers who specialize in visas for the arts community.
Global News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
Canadian musicians say Donald Trump's return as U.S. president complicates touring
Canadian country singer Robert Adam recorded their new album in Nashville, but under the political tumult of U.S. President Donald Trump, the musician doesn't plan to travel stateside to promote it. The Calgary-based non-binary artist says they contemplated their decision for several months, weighing past negative experiences as a queer person visiting the United States against the importance of the U.S. market for emerging musicians. But after hearing about the obstacles faced by some transgender musicians in obtaining U.S. working visas, Adam said they are confident they've made the right decision to skip the country on their upcoming tour. '(I'm) pretty non-binary presenting, pretty femme … it's hard not to see that I kind of stick out,' they said in a phone interview. 'I don't want to spend my life stressed out over whether I feel like I have to … tone down my image, or what I have to say, just to exist and play a show.' Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen Country singer Robert Adam, as shown in this handout image, says they're skipping plans to tour the United States, in part over concerns about how non-binary musicians might be treated at the border. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Brandynn LP *MANDATORY CREDIT* An order issued in January by the Trump administration declared that the United States will only recognize two sexes, male and female, and that government documents must reflect the one assigned at birth. This would mean trans and non-binary entertainers might have to misgender themselves in hopes of getting approval. 2:00 Trump's executive order on gender identity worries some Canadians Some Canadians also have an X gender marker on their passport, and while Adam doesn't, they said the possibility of invasive questions about their gender or being detained at the U.S. border far outweighs the upside. Story continues below advertisement And so, they will tour elsewhere. After several Canadian dates, Adam plans to head to the United Kingdom and Japan, where they feel their brand of queer country music will be more warmly received. 'It's important to me that we go to spaces where I can do those things freely and … inspire others to do the same,' they added. 1:52 Tegan and Sara use Junos speech to call out policies affecting trans youth Other Canadian artists, both within the LGBTQ2 community and outside it, are asking themselves whether touring the United States is worth the ethical compromise or safety risks it may present. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Last week, the Canadian Independent Music Association held a virtual town hall to address the growing concerns about performing stateside. More than 200 musicians, managers and other industry players attended a panel that included two U.S. immigration lawyers who specialize in visas for the arts community. Story continues below advertisement 'I think everybody is right to be anxious, worried and concerned about coming into the U.S. right now,' said Will Spitz, a lawyer in the performing arts division of New York-based firm CoveyLaw. 'It seems like every day there's a new horror story of someone getting detained, hassled or deported.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It seems like every day there's a new horror story of someone getting detained, hassled or deported." Despite heightened tension at the border, Spitz noted 'not that much has changed' for most travellers who are not trans, gender non-conforming or intersex. 2:14 B.C. woman detained in 'inhumane conditions' after attempting to enter U.S. Many visa rejections, which may seem like Trump-era actions, are actually due to common paperwork errors, he noted. 'Does that mean it can't change tomorrow? No,' Spitz added. 'I think there's a very real chance that they expand their focus to include anyone who's been vocal in support of Palestine and other issues the current administration doesn't like.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think there's a very real chance that they expand their focus to include anyone who's been vocal in support of Palestine and other issues the current administration doesn't like." Story continues below advertisement Statistics Canada data suggests that many Canadians have soured on going stateside. In March, the number of those returning from the United States by car was down nearly 32 per cent compared to last year, marking the third consecutive month of year-over-year declines. U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows the number of Canadian citizens turned away at the land border also fell 44 per cent in the same month. In March, 1,747 people were found inadmissible — for reasons as varied as criminal records or improper documents — compared to 3,126 a year earlier. It was the fourth consecutive month of declines. Still, many are worried. Amid the turmoil, some musicians are choosing to stay silent over fears that any negative comments about the American administration might wind up in a Google search by a border agent. Nearly a dozen musicians and managers declined to be interviewed for this story, with some explaining they couldn't risk losing access to the lucrative U.S. tour circuit. 'They're terrified of getting stuck at the border and being interrogated for social media posts,' said Eric Alper, a publicist representing several performers who wouldn't speak out. 'A lot of the Canadian artists are leaning towards just surviving.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "A lot of the Canadian artists are leaning towards just surviving." Others are thinking more about how to better prepare for their U.S. tours. Story continues below advertisement Khalid Yassein of Toronto folk act Wild Rivers said his band is upgrading the status of everyone on their team to an O1 visa, which recognizes workers in the arts. Before, some of them held O2 visas, which are for assistants to O1 workers. The band hopes it will streamline the process and eliminate potential hurdles, he said. They also plan on crossing into the United States at the same time. 'We're having conversations with our team on how to be extra prepared,' he said. 'It's a huge, important music market for us. Granted, we're excited every time we come home because we're a little bit less stressed out.' Indie rock newcomer Drew Tarves, who performs under the moniker Young Friend, took a different approach. In March, he announced he was cancelling plans for shows in New York and Los Angeles to promote his debut album Motorcycle Sound Effects. The Vancouver musician said he would dedicate his energy to 17 Canadian dates across six provinces instead. Tarves blamed Trump's tariff war and his aspirations to annex Canada as deciding factors in why he chose to focus on his home country. 'I didn't feel great about going down there,' the 26-year-old said in a recent interview. 'It was a hard decision,' he added. Story continues below advertisement 'Playing there in the past has always felt pretty key to being a developing artist. It's like the hub for music.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Playing there in the past has always felt pretty key to being a developing artist. It's like the hub for music." Last month, pop singer T. Thomason also announced he was backing out of U.S. shows after concluding 'it does not feel safe to attempt to cross the border' as a trans person. His decision came shortly after fellow trans singer-songwriter Bells Larsen cancelled a U.S. tour over new policies that suggested he would likely be denied a visa based on his gender identity. Those boycotts still seem to be rare, according to Liana White, executive director at the Canadian Federation of Musicians. She said the interest expressed by Canadian musicians in touring the United States remains 'huge,' even with the current unpredictability. She advises travelling artists to take extra precautions when planning their U.S. dates. For instance, visa processing times have slowed in recent years, an issue that predates the current Trump administration. Musicians should account for those delays by planning further ahead, she said, and budgeting to pay a premium that expedites approval. Other things to consider: carry medication in prescription bottles, purchase vitamins south of the border and keep food in its original packaging. 'If it is possible to fly, I would recommend that,' White added, noting it's easier to withdraw a request to enter the United States at many airports, because the person is still on Canadian soil. Story continues below advertisement Even with the extra hurdles and turbulent political climate, some Canadian musicians say they couldn't imagine abandoning U.S. audiences. Montreal feminist punk act Nobro, whose debut album was partly inspired by a concert they played hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned abortion rights, said performing stateside isn't just about promoting their music but empowering their fans. 'We don't play big shows, we play 200-capacity gigs, and there are a lot of kids out there that can actually afford our tickets,' said bassist Kathryn McCaughey. 'It's really important to uplift those communities and for them to feel like they're being seen and heard and especially just to have fun.' View image in full screen Nobro perform during the Juno Awards Gala in Vancouver, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns Toronto band the Beaches recently hit the stage at California music festival Coachella and last year played in Florida, a conservative state with several anti-LGBTQ2 laws. Story continues below advertisement Keyboardist Leandra Earl said the band felt it was essential to 'go down there and meet all of our fans who really need an escape from life sometimes.' 'I personally, as a queer woman, think it's really important for us to keep playing in all of those cities that are looking for representation,' she added. 'Wherever people want us, we'll go there.'
Vancouver Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Border Insecurity: Canadian musicians face volatile tour life under Trump
Article content TORONTO — Canadian country singer Robert Adam recorded their new album in Nashville, but under the political tumult of U.S. President Donald Trump, the musician doesn't plan to travel stateside to promote it. Article content The Calgary-based non-binary artist says they contemplated their decision for several months, weighing past negative experiences as a queer person visiting the United States against the importance of the U.S. market for emerging musicians. Article content Article content But after hearing about the obstacles faced by some transgender musicians in obtaining U.S. working visas, Adam said they are confident they've made the right decision to skip the country on their upcoming tour. Article content Article content '(I'm) pretty non-binary presenting, pretty femme … it's hard not to see that I kind of stick out,' they said in a phone interview. Article content 'I don't want to spend my life stressed out over whether I feel like I have to … tone down my image, or what I have to say, just to exist and play a show.' Article content An order issued in January by the Trump administration declared that the United States will only recognize two sexes, male and female, and that government documents must reflect the one assigned at birth. Article content This would mean trans and non-binary entertainers might have to misgender themselves in hopes of getting approval. Article content Some Canadians also have an X gender marker on their passport, and while Adam doesn't, they said the possibility of invasive questions about their gender or being detained at the U.S. border far outweighs the upside. Article content Article content And so, they will tour elsewhere. Article content Article content After several Canadian dates, Adam plans to head to the United Kingdom and Japan, where they feel their brand of queer country music will be more warmly received. Article content 'It's important to me that we go to spaces where I can do those things freely and … inspire others to do the same,' they added. Article content Other Canadian artists, both within the LGBTQ+ community and outside it, are asking themselves whether touring the United States is worth the ethical compromise or safety risks it may present. Article content More than 200 musicians, managers and other industry players attended a panel that included two U.S. immigration lawyers who specialize in visas for the arts community. Article content 'I think everybody is right to be anxious, worried and concerned about coming into the U.S. right now,' said Will Spitz, a lawyer in the performing arts division of New York-based firm CoveyLaw.
