February 13 2020

Glencairn Properties have published plans to complete an unfinished Georgian street, by building new student accommodation at Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh.

Most recently left to languish as a disused petrol filling station the site has been taken on by Susan Stephen Architects who have penned a low-key infill scheme which takes its design cue from its unfinished neighbour, which currently ends abruptly at a rough exposed gable with exposed fireplaces and bricked up openings.

Picking up on the established street front with an active frontage and entrance hub the sandstone-clad scheme will end at a recessed element providing the listed Century General Store with room to breathe and adopt contrasting bronze fluted cladding.

Explaining the rationale behind a distinctive corner treatment the architects wrote: “This will aim to activate the corner of the site where the main common functions are.

“The lower floors treated like a solid plinth with large welcoming windows. The upper floors where the accommodation is located will be treated with the dark fluted cladding which will give a varied and modern elevation.”

At high-level a mixed treatment of a fully glazed extension and dormer windows is planned as a modern intervention to reduce perceived mass and articulate progression from historic to modern.

5 Comments

#1 Posted by KLD on 14 Feb 2020 at 08:51 AM

Looks fantastic. Complements the existing tenements really well.

#2 Posted by Robin B's Discount on 14 Feb 2020 at 10:15 AM

It does look very good. Well done Susan Stephens team. They seem to be pretty active in the Edinburgh student scene.

#3 Posted by Bonvivant on 14 Feb 2020 at 10:27 AM

It's lacking any significant reference to the vertical rhythm created by the other properties in the street on their individual plots.

#4 Posted by alibi on 14 Feb 2020 at 10:29 AM

Detailed window design and materials will be crucial on the main elevation. I hope Building Standards requirements won't diminish the overall effect, which is ideal for this street. This looks like being a great scheme if the details are right.

The student housing aspect will invite objections of course.

#5 Posted by town planner on 14 Feb 2020 at 17:22 PM

Fits pretty perfectly into the existing street.
Let's hope the stone used is of high quality, that will be key. Sadly it so often seems to get costed out of Edinburgh buildings, and looks like parts of the new St James Centre will be the latest. - Change in planning laws please?

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