Upmarket Edinburgh jeweller reveals new look after £3m renovation project
HAMILTON & Inches, the luxury Edinburgh jeweller, has revealed its long-awaited new showroom.
The historic retailer, which has held a Royal Warrant for more than 120 years, has completed a £3 million refurbishment of its A-listed property on George Street during the pandemic.
The root and branch renovation of the five-storey building has transformed the jeweller’s workshop and service department, and installed a new store front. Clad in Scottish Whinstone, the front rejuvenates Hamilton & Inches’ original design, with curved glass panels set in an antique bronze and jewellery displayed on a carved breccia marble plinth, topped in silk.
The focal point of the restored showroom is a handcrafted silver Ginkgo leaf installation, which has been inserted above the diamond bar.
Hamilton & Inches, which can trace its history back 154 years, worked on the project with conservation practice Simpson & Brown Architects, and Tom Bartlett, founder of London-based Waldo Works. Mr Bartlett collaborated with the jeweller’s chief executive, Victoria Houghton, to select Scottish materials and furnishings such as Sinclairs, an Edinburgh-based workshop, and cushions from Timorous Beasties.
Alma Leather supplied material for service desks located throughout the showroom, which now has a “lifestyle” area, where clients can shop and enjoy a coffee or glass of Champagne. There are also VIP consultation rooms. Local craftspeople were enlisted to work on the project, the jeweller said.
Ms Houghton said: “I’m thrilled to unveil the newly restored showroom. This has been an amazing journey, and everyone including local contractors SJS, local chartered quantity surveyors Mcleod & Aitken and bespoke joinery and furniture specialists Laurence Mcintosh have worked so hard to bring our vision to life.
“The customer experience has been at the forefront of this project since inception.”