Latest news with #WilliamPlayfair
Scotsman
20-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
Three-bedroom lower ground floor Edinburgh city centre flat with private access to Regent Gardens
Nestled on one of Edinburgh's most prestigious Georgian streets, 11A Carlton Terrace offers a rare opportunity to own a beautifully refined home in a truly historic setting. Forming part of a Grade A-listed terrace designed by the renowned engineer William Playfair, this elegant lower-ground floor flat blends timeless architectural charm with thoughtfully designed modern living. Step inside to discover a welcoming entrance hall that leads to a beautifully proportioned living room with space for dining, ornate period cornicing, as well as sash and case window with functioning shutters. While, the kitchen features contemporary finishes and a generous number of cabinets and worktop space. Externally, the property hosts a south-west facing rear garden with a large lawn, a paved area perfect for alfresco dining, and is surrounded by a range of mature shrubs. For viewings, call Coulters on 0131 253 2215 or book an appointment online. 1 . Garden Externally, the property hosts a south-west facing rear garden with a large lawn, paved area which is perfect for alfresco dining and is surrounded by a range of mature shrubs. | Coulters Photo: ESPC Photo Sales 2 . Living room The welcoming entrance hall leads to a beautifully proportioned living room with space for dining, where ornate period cornicing, sash and case window with functioning shutters, and elegant wood flooring coexist with modern comfort. | Coulters Photo: ESPC Photo Sales 3 . 11A Carlton Terrace The residents of this property enjoy exclusive access to the private Regent Gardens, an 11-acre oasis that includes a tennis court, putting green, and children's playground. Carlton Terrace itself, built in the 1820s and part of Edinburgh's UNESCO-recognised New Town, offers sweeping views across Calton Hill, Abbeyhill, Holyrood, and Arthur's Seat. | Coulters Photo: ESPC Photo Sales 4 . Front patio The Calton property also features this handy front patio as an additional outdoor space. | Coulters Photo: ESPC Photo Sales Related topics: EdinburghPropertyGeorgian
Scotsman
02-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Edinburgh hotel in historic building dating back to 1822 goes on the market for £3.9m
A stylish Edinburgh hotel housed in a historic building built over 200 years ago has gone up for sale. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... The No.11 Boutique Hotel and Brassiere, on Brunswick Street, has been brought to market with a guide price of £3.95m. Located close to St James Quarter in the city centre, the historic venue was expanded during the pandemic by adding the adjoining townhouse, and now comprises 19 letting bedrooms of an excellent standard. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The building dates back to 1822 and was commissioned by the renowned Scottish architect William Playfair, retaining many fine original features from the Georgian era. Alongside the letting accommodation, the brasserie restaurant has established an excellent reputation. The property is on the market due to the retirement of the current owners, who have operated the hotel since 2012. Gary Witham from Christie & Co, who is managing the sale, said: 'This type of central high-end boutique hotel is perfectly suited to the luxury leisure tourist segment that Edinburgh attracts and offers a highly profitable business.' No. 11 Boutique Hotel & Brasserie is on the market with price on application. To find out more, visit:
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Scotsman
Steve Cardownie: Take a stroll around Edinburgh's hidden gem
When I was convener of the Recreation Committee on the City of Edinburgh Council one of the properties that came as part of the committee's property portfolio was Lauriston Castle near Davidson's Mains. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... Visit Scotland says that 'Lauriston Castle is a hidden gem in Edinburgh with beautiful free grounds cradling the sea and with stunning views. Spend time relaxing in our calm and tranquil Japanese garden. Double up with a visit to historic Cramond and take a walk along the iconic promenade.' The Japanese Garden at Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh. The grounds include the Edinburgh/ Kyoto Friendship Garden which is one of the largest Japanese gardens created in the UK in the last century and which I had the pleasure of declaring open back in August 2002. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was designed in traditional Japanese style and features a pond, a waterfall and various Japanese plants with bench seating provided throughout. It was created as a symbol of the friendship and cultural exchanges between Edinburgh and Kyoto and was designed by Japanese designer, Takashi Sawano. The grounds also have an Italian garden, designed by William Playfair in 1844. As they had no children, the property was bequeathed to the city in 1926 by its last private owners, Mr and Mrs Reid. They left the castle and its grounds to 'Scotland' on the condition that their home would be preserved as it was gifted. The city council has responsibility for the care and maintenance of the house which was 'modernised' by the Reids, who installed modern plumbing and electricity and also added their collection of furniture and artwork to the house. I have spent many an hour walking my dog in the grounds, meandering along the circular, wooded path, taking in the impressive views across The Firth of Forth to The Kingdom of Fife. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With a car park and serviced by nearby public transport it is readily accessible and offers a great opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of modern living and which is no more than twenty minutes from the city centre. Visit Scotland's description of the castle as 'a hidden gem' is spot on - see for yourself!
Scotsman
21-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Why £1m Blenheim Place house reveals shocking reality of Edinburgh's planning system
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox 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... It won't be long before the diggers come. Between Toppings bookstore and Greenside Parish Church is 12 Blenheim Place, a patch of greenery overlooked by Calton Hill. Historic maps show the site was woodland from at least the mid-19th century. But then, around 2017, the trees were felled. And now the five-bedroom family home is going up – in William Playfair's New Town, a conservation area. It's not surprising that dozens of people, the community council and Edinburgh World Heritage objected to the application . Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What is more surprising is that planning permission came down to just two councillors. So, how did it play out? By scrutinising one application on one cobbled street, maybe there are clues to how other planning decisions are made. Plans to build a modern house in Edinburgh's New Town were approved by just two councillors | contributed 32 objections The Local Review Body (LRB) met to decide the fate of the planning application for 12 Blenheim Place on April 2, six months after it was first turned down. Four councillors were present: Conservative Tim Jones – appointed chair for the day – as well as SNP's David Key, Ben Parker, of the Scottish Greens, and Liberal Democrat Hal Osler. Blenheim Place was the first item of business, and slightly unusual for a committee that normally deals with dormer windows, driveways and short-term lets. A senior planning officer presented the case. There were 32 objections (one from yours truly). Historic Environment Scotland did not object to the revised application – the original plans had consisted of two three-storey buildings on the site – but stated its lack of objection should not be interpreted as support. Council officers recommended refusal of permission: the council's own report in October used words such as 'sterile' and 'detrimental'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Two-all tie As the senior planning officer was finishing their presentation, Labour councillor Lezley Cameron joined the webcast. Since she was late to the meeting, she wouldn't be able to vote. The panel was therefore down from five members to four, and it was time for each to express their view. Jones commented the design looked 'discreet' and 'well thought out', and that the 1980s office building next door was significantly higher, and in that way, a 'precedent' had been set. Key wondered how Edinburgh World Heritage could argue the house would impede views of Calton Hill, when the church next door did the same? Osler turned the discussion to the width of the design: the house would extend right up to the boundary of the category A listed Parish Green Church. Parker agreed with Osler, and said the issue of the height was a 'red herring'. The councillors cast their votes: two for, two against. As chair, Jones said he would use his casting vote, and permission was granted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who knows what would have happened if Cameron had turned up on time, or another councillor had been appointed chair that day? But there was no point in ruminating. The decision had been made. Valuing the public realm This is just one decision by an LRB that should be questioned, but there are other committees making planning decisions with far-reaching implications that should also be looked at. For example, why was Rosebery House by Haymarket Station demolished, when it was only built in the 1970s? Why are blocks of student housing cropping up all over the city when we don't have enough social housing? Why does St James shopping centre have 1,600 car park spaces in a town centre that is already heavily congested? And how much do our councillors – our elected representatives – really value the public realm and green spaces? Part of the answer comes down, frankly speaking, to the quality of councillors who sit on the relevant committees. We require people who are invested in the work, who receive adequate training, who ask the right questions, who can form an argument, and who can put their political leanings aside when it comes to quasi-judicial bodies like the LRB. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Needs of local people But that's not to blame individual councillors. It would be fairer to focus on the policies they have to work with and abide by, namely the City Plan 2030, implemented last November, and the National Planning Framework 4 . Both have a stronger focus on climate, for example, than their previous iterations, and applications are now reflecting this: 12 Blenheim Place features an air-source heat pump and a roof garden. But there is a lot that is unsaid in policy and councillors therefore have limited ammunition. It is unsaid that the motivations of property developers, lawyers and architects often run contrary to the needs of local people, and that it's more profitable to demolish and rebuild than conserve. It is unsaid that student housing – categorised as commercial units – generates a high return for investors. (The neighbouring 1980s office block that Jones mentioned is now owned by a German real estate investment fund . It was also renovated by CSG Projects, the same company that now has planning permission at 12 Blenheim Place.) But even if policy was watertight against vested corporate interests, the LRB meeting shows how expert opinion and local sentiment can be thrown out the dormer window, based on apparently personal views of a design, or by looking at a picture and deciding that the height of a building would have 'no significant impact'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The only thing we can do is pay more attention to the committees that our representatives sit on – and vote accordingly at the next local election. But by that point, Blenheim Place – a 'sterile' million-pound house amidst a housing crisis – could already be well underway. Let's just hope it's not converted into a short-term let.
