Perth best place in the UK to get on the housing ladder, says council.

Former primary school will now house new and affordable flats

A £5 million regeneration project has breathed new life into a historic Perth school.

The landmark Caledonian Road School building is reopening its doors as social housing, nearly a decade after lessons ended.

However, strict health and safety rules have meant the school’s iconic atrium — including a central stairwell where boys and girls marched to and from class — has had to be sealed off.

The double stair has been restored as part of the refit, but it will be kept behind a glass wall, made only accessible on special occasions.

The Caledonia Housing Association (CHA) took over the school shortly after it was closed to pupils in October 2010.

Bosses have now unveiled the results of their large-scale conversion, creating 24 affordable flats.

The exterior of the Victorian-era red sandstone building has been kept intact. Inside, the old classrooms have been converted into one and two-bedroom flats, with lowered ceilings and raised floors.

The main atrium features a twin set of stairs, designed to separate girls and boys. There were male and female entrance doors at opposite sides of the building.

CHA officer Steve Johnston, who led tours of the new flats, explained that because the stairs are made of timber they didn’t meet strict fire safety guidelines. The steps were also too wide and it would cost too much to bring them up to standard.

However, the hall could be opened as part of guided tours, he said.

A new stairwell has been built to allow access all three levels.

The regeneration project also involves a new block of 21 flats in the former playground and six more properties at an annex building, which once housed the school’s gym, cafeteria and afterschool club.

Association chairman David Grant said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring this building back into use and offer high quality social housing.

“The old school is very pleasing to the eye and its great we have been able to retain it for future generations.

“We want to create 1,000 new homes by 2022.”

The new-look building has also been welcomed by former teachers, who got the chance to tour the site before tenants begin moving in.

Kathleen Ogilvie, who taught P3 classes, said: “I’m really impressed with what they’ve done.

“Walking around inside brought back some memories. The flats are totally new, but the views are the same.”

The school, which opened in 1892,was designed by Andrew Heiton Jr, the man behind other significant Perth buildings in Kinnoull Terrace and George Street.

Walking around inside brought back some memories. The flats are totally new, butthe views are the same.

KATHLEEN OGILVIE, FORMER TEACHER