Rooms with a View
Grand villa built within sight of city landmark, discovers Paul Drury
We tend to associate the term ‘ gated community’ with the enclaves of Bel Air in California, where the homes of Hollywood stars are protected by guards on patrol 24 hours a day.
But we Scots are no strangers to domestic security – and even blazed a trail for our American cousins – as the arrival on the market of this prime property proves.
Salisbury View, in the south side of edinburgh, is a product of the city’s expansion in Georgian and early Victorian times.
To protect the grand homes in the capital’s first true suburb, high stone walls were built to keep residents safe from vagabonds, footpads and general ne’er-do-wells.
It was the duty of lodge keepers, housed in smaller gate houses, to lock the gates at night and open them again in the morning.
Salisbury View now finds itself within the Blacket Conservation Area, which helps to preserve the vision of the area’s designers in the early to mid-1800s.
Subsequent house- building means you now struggle to see the celebrated Salisbury Crags, after which the property was named.
However, there is compensation in the form of another great sight – Arthur’s Seat.
The frontage of the blond sandstone house is notable for its symmetry, with large, 12-pane windows either side of the entrance.
The interior is a celebration of Scottish craftsmanship, with deep cornicing, fabulous fireplaces and touches rich in period detail.
The magnificent drawing room, decorated in cool greys, has working window shutters and a sizeable ceiling rose with chandelier.
But f or all the traditional trappings at the front of the home, the owners have let loose with modern additions to the rear.
The L- shaped l i ving/ dining/ kitchen area is a showstopper.
Kitchens I nternational is responsible for the marble-rich kitchen, while an adjoining sitting area has sliding doors to the garden. A side extension has been developed as a games room complete with pool table and bar – ideal for entertaining friends.
The master bedroom upstairs is a bit special, too.
It boasts its own dressing room and l uxury bathroom, with a central free-standing bath as well as a Victorian, semi- enclosed overhead shower.
Two more bedrooms have tiled en suite bathrooms and the remaining two share a shower room. Salisbury View deserves its status as one of the capital’s prime properties. It combines Victorian grandeur with 21st century elan, making it perfect as a comfortable home and party pad.
The surrounding area, Newington, has often been crowned the best place to live in edinburgh thanks to its high student population encouraging an eclectic mix of bars, restaurants and shops.
There is green space galore, too – The Meadows and Holyrood Park are a stone’s throw away.
And do not forget that strong sense of security, something the citizens of 200 years ago would probably appreciate.
◼Offers over £1,395,000 to Andrew Riddell of Strutt & Parker on 0131 226 2500 or email andrew. riddell@struttandparker.com.