Learn the lessons of historic conversions
A Liberton school has undergone a dramatic tranformation, says Kirsty Mcluckie
Guthrie Gardens is a development by Square and Crescent on Lasswade Road, Liberton, on the southern fringes of Edinburgh, surrounded by green spaces and within easy reach of the city centre.
Gary Henney, new-build development manager of Square and Crescent, says: “The building started off life as Dr Guthrie’s School for Boys, which began in Stockbridge but relocated to Liberton when this building was opened in 1887.”
The place of learning was one of several such establishments founded by the Very Reverend Thomas Guthrie, and nicknamed “ragged schools”, which were set up to educate the children of the poor.
Designed by Sydney Mitchell, the building is in a classic Victorian Gothic style. The school was converted into a care home in the 1970s.
Square and Crescent took on the building two and half years ago with the intention of converting it into residential homes.
The original stone facade has been retained at the front but adapted and extended at the back with 30 properties created for sale.
Henney admits that school conversions are not straightforward, saying: “They have their challenges but they are big, bright, airy spaces so offer a lot of potential. The main challenge is that we took it from being two floors to three, but in the process the design means that each apartment still has high ceilings and a lot of light.”
Out of a total of 30, 23 of the Guthrie Gardens apartments have already been sold, and with 21 inhabited, the development is nearing a close.
Still available are a one-bedroomed apartment, a three-bedroomed unit and a range with two bedrooms.
Prices are from £250,000, to £455,000 for a three-bedroomed duplex apartment over the ground and first floors.
Henney says: “The demographic of buyers is broad, from a student to owners aged in their 80s. It has been particularly popular with young families, professionals in their 20s and 30s and downsizers from Morningside and the Grange.”
One of the main selling points of Guthrie Gardens has been the outside space. The ground-floor apartments have private front and rear gardens, and there is a formal garden in the middle of the courtyard, creating a communal amenity space, an attractive outlook and a green buffer between apartments.
Further grounds and parking with soft landscaping and mature lime trees are at the front.
Liberton is a quiet residential area, surrounded by greenery, but is just a 20-minute drive from the centre of the Capital. The development is well situated for Edinburgh University, as well as being close to the motorway network for commuters.
Henney says: “The location is handy for the bypass and the airport too – one buyer is a pilot based out of Edinburgh, while several are medical staff who work at the Royal.”
Internally, the styling is a mix of the traditional in the older part of the building and contemporary in the newer parts.
All the apartments feature openplan living, dining areas and kitchens plus stylish bathrooms and ensuites, while those on the ground floor include French doors to the gardens.
The new-build elements have been designed to sit quietly and compliment the listed building, while its sharp and minimalist detailing contrasts against the historic backdrop.