August 3 2020

Edinburgh's B-listed Boroughmuir High School has completed a transition to 87 apartments with the opening of a show home by CALA Homes.

Apartments capitalise on the dramatic volume of former classrooms with double-height ceilings, a mezzanine bedroom and 430 restored sash and case windows.

Interior designer Eileen Kesson of Envision Showhomes, said: "What Boroughmuir presents in abundance is height – it’s the development’s signature element. We’ve incorporated a beautiful light fitting made exclusively for the apartment which cascades down from the ceiling with sparkle, bridging the height found in the apartment.

“The light reflected around the apartment through its colossal windows is a real bonus and has allowed us to be bold in our colour selection. We decided to incorporate the school’s colours into the apartment as a nod towards the building’s heritage.

“We have worked in partnership with BoConcept to provide an elegant and modern feel to the apartment while still paying tribute to the history of the building.”

The £20.4m project was overseen by Michael Laird Architects following the schools relocation to a new build canalside building. 

12 Comments

#1 Posted by IndyNoo on 3 Aug 2020 at 11:01 AM

This looks great; the two recent examples of conversions published on UR were awful in comparison. Incidentally both were in Glasgow - the Architects there should look to Edinburgh for some excellent examples of how to carry out these types of projects.

#2 Posted by monkey9000 on 3 Aug 2020 at 14:37 PM

It's lucky that MLA have a Glasgow office too then ;)

#3 Posted by Roddy Piper on 3 Aug 2020 at 14:39 PM

Looks a nice conversion, shame old schools in Glasgow can't do the same as #1 mentions. Old schools in Glasgow seem to tend to get burnt down.

#4 Posted by Fush And Chups on 3 Aug 2020 at 15:41 PM

Interior shots look okay, although rather formulaic.

The building itself seems to sit in a sea of car parking spaces. Surely some nice landscaping could have been undertaken.

I’m waiting with baited breath to see what happens with the old High School of Glasgow buildings.

#5 Posted by Robert on 3 Aug 2020 at 16:14 PM

I live opposite the building and there is still a lot of work to be done on the landscaping. And #4, the car parking ensures that the development does not detrimentally impact the already challenged residents parking spaces which we in Edinburgh pay for. Having grown up in Glasgow, it came as a shock that you have to pay for street parking outside your home through here.

#6 Posted by Stylecouncil on 3 Aug 2020 at 16:45 PM

Pity Cala got Kerry Katona to do the interior...but I guess it’s only the show flat and the occupants should have more taste.
@5 if you live in a high density urban area like Bruntsfield, then you shouldn’t expect easy parking...get a grip. Or a bike.
Landscaping would have been much more welcome.
Good job mla though....

#7 Posted by cmcc on 3 Aug 2020 at 17:06 PM

Great to see these schools being tastefully trasformed. Shame to hear about the mass of tarmac instead of some landscaping. Blue, yellow and whites seem to appear everywhere now?

#8 Posted by David on 4 Aug 2020 at 16:20 PM

There are plenty of good examples of Victorian school conversions in Glasgow. Typical east coast attitude trying to constantly put a downer on the country's largest city, with the most diverse and exciting architecture and design scene.
The most recent example that is nearing completion is the Holmlea Road primary school, where they are actually landscaping the former playground and not putting surface parking in its place, as this Edinburgh example has done, which is nice, but nothing special in my opinion.

#9 Posted by Daniel on 5 Aug 2020 at 10:06 AM

#5 - this is Bruntsfield, not some outer suburb deprived of public transport. There's scant need for either the level of parking provided on this site _or_ on the streets in the local area.

#10 Posted by Robert on 5 Aug 2020 at 11:12 AM

#8 - I can’t remember taking the car somewhere that was within walking distance or on a direct bus route. However, have visited Morton Hall garden centre, Newcraighall and the Western General by car in the last couple of weeks. And the family food shop at the supermarket. A number of these things could be done online for home delivery (we do use that as well), however bear in mind that shops are desperate for customers in the current climate - ask the Morningside traders.

#11 Posted by Fush And Chups on 5 Aug 2020 at 17:12 PM

#5 Thanks for letting me know that there is still landscaping to be done. I live in the New Town so am aware of the parking charges, although I have recently disposed of my car. In my opinion it is something that they should also introduce in Glasgow, certainly in its west end.
If you can afford to live in these places then you can afford the 200-300 pounds a year to park your vehicle,

I still stand by my view that the sea of car parking is disappointing. Bruntsfield isn’t exactly out in the sticks. Perhaps a subterranean car park could have been devised if it was really needed? More cost but it’s in an area where people will pay a premium.

#8 Everyone knows that there are stunning schools in Glasgow. Victorian Glasgow really was at the cutting edge of architecture.
I enjoyed the Notre Dame conversion, and yes the Holmlea Adaptation looks good. The old high school on Elmbank Street needs a stellar job doing on it. It deserves no less.

#12 Posted by David on 5 Aug 2020 at 18:53 PM

#11, vast areas of Glasgow, especially in central, west and southern neighbourhoods, have parking charges for residents and have had them for many many years.

The Elmbank Street school buildings have just been sold, really looking forward to seeing the proposals. Shakespeare Street in Maryhill is another school conversion nearing completion that looks terrific.

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