Thistle Street Residential LLP have applied to convert, subdivide and alter the ground and lower-ground floor office space at 29 Forth Street in order to restore its original use for residential purposes (Ref. 13/00792/FUL).
The plan is to create three new (2–3-bedroom) dwellings on property which extends beneath No. 12 Union Street and backs onto Broughton Street Lane.
Pre-application discussion with Council Planning officials suggested that 'the principle of the proposed alterations ... [would be] deemed acceptable'.
It may come as a surprise to learn that the Category B-listed property (now for sale) is owned by the National Union of Students Scotland, and – until recently at least – served as their headquarters. It was designed by Robert Burn in 1800 (Issues 203–4, 213), built 5 years later, and restored in 1995 following fire damage.
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Shockwaves are unlikely to spread across the New Town at news that the front door may be styled in Crown Trade K2093U (dark teal).
The low-profile Scottish restaurant with wine and gin bar attached is, it is whispered locally, the resort of choice for some Very Important People Indeed. They could tell us the names, but they'd have to kill us.
Here instead is a picture of a Common teal, after whose iridescent eye patch the colour was first named in 1917. (Image by J.M.Garg, Creative Commons.)
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Excavation and extensive refurbishment will be required to upgrade the gallery space inside the Observatory's City Dome on Calton Hill (Ref. 13/00854/LBC).
The Council's Property Services Department describes the extent of works as follows:
'External and internal works ... to form new ancillary spaces, new electrical and mechanical services and repairs to existing building fabric. External works to repair and replace existing finishes and fittings to match existing and new external lighting. Internal works, where stated on drawing, to repair and replace existing finishes and fittings to match existing. New concrete floor formed with underfloor heating. New ancillary spaces formed with associated M+E works.'
Meanwhile, the Council has also applied for permission to erect temporary office accommodation and sanitary arrangements for the Collective Gallery whilst renovation takes place (Ref. 13/00806/FUL).
As first reported in Issue 205 (April 2012), the Collective Gallery hopes to be in place within the Dome in about 2 years' time. The gallery’s Communication Manager Jill Brown told us: ‘Calton Hill’s twin history of stargazing and intellectual endeavour make it an inspiring location for Collective. It will provide a space for reflection on the past, present and most importantly the future, through new work, cultural exchange and international dialogue'.
Ever since Roman times, cultural exchange and international dialogue have been facilitated by underfloor heating.