City Chambers Refurbishment

Since 1811, the City of Edinburgh Council has operated from the Grade A Listed City Chambers in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.  Originally, the building was the Royal Exchange designed by John Adam in 1761 and was subsequently partially extended by Robert Morham in 1901.

With the City of Edinburgh Council, as part of their “Fit For Future” initiative, the Practice has been involved in a number of refurbishment projects.  Most notable of these has been the refurbishment of the Main Stair and the Main Chamber itself.  

The Main Stair forms the dramatic 10-storey access spine of the building with formal access at Level 5, through the quandrangle, and another entrance at Level 0, down at Cockburn Street. Sumptous carpets and wall coverings were introduced including a large scale thistle patterned wallpaper, ideal for a space of this scale. Stunning, highly individual decorative glass panels were also specially comissioned for the upper level stair windows.   

Largely untouched since it’s construction in 1901, the refubishment of the Chamber included the reinstatement of the initial colour scheme as well as restoration of murals, paintings and original light fittings. The central stained glass dome was also restored to its original splendour. 

Photography by Paul Zanre.