26-31 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh
Numbers 26-31 Charlotte Square and the mews buildings behind form the major part of the palace front designed by Robert Adam in 1792 and built between 1805-1820. In 1996 Simpson & Brown was commissioned to restore and adapt these buildings to be The National Trust for Scotland's new headquarters within Edinburgh's World Heritage Site.
It was agreed that the character and individuality of each of the six original town houses should be reinforced while equipping them for the needs of a modern office. The houses are linked by a basement spine passage which also feeds into a below garden link to the mews buildings behind. The public have access to the ground and first floors of the central house where there is a shop, restaurant and gallery.
The buildings were in poor condition, having been damaged by ill-considered alterations carried out during the last thirty years. The existing fabric was systematically recorded and good secondary work was retained. The stone pencheck stair was reinstated in Number 26. The architectural detail of the rooms was restored, including bow ends, chimney pieces, grates and appropriate decoration. Lifts were inserted and new services, including flood wiring for power, voice and data.
