Moray Place is a unique ‘double lateral’ drawing room apartment in Edinburgh’s New Town.

Forming part of two Georgian townhouses that were unsympathetically converted into flats in the 1930s, this Category A listed property has been extensively refurbished and reconfigured to create an attractive, bespoke living space.

Expertise

Quantity Surveying

Sectors

Conservation and Heritage, Residential

A priority of the project was the reinstatement of two original drawing rooms that had been divided in the original conversion using structural walls.

New steel beams and columns were installed to achieve the reconfiguration, creating in the principal rooms a large drawing room and a sumptuous kitchen/dining/living space, as well as modern bedroom and bathroom facilities.

Residential refurbishment in a Category A listed building

In addition to the structural changes, the clients wanted an exceptional level of fit-out while at the same time minimising disruption to neighbouring properties. We therefore specified appropriate site restrictions in the tender documents and imposed them throughout the contract. We also set out to secure a contractor with a track record of sensitive residential works.

Our experience of working in listed buildings and appreciation of the construction costs of traditional materials proved invaluable in accurately pricing the initial cost plan and understanding the likely planning limitations. At all stages, options were further costed and reported, allowing for informed decision-making by the clients.

Award-winning combination of modern and traditional

The flat refurbishment included the addition of bespoke glazed doors, cornicing, plaster walls and ceilings in keeping with the building’s period design. New heating, lighting and audiovisual systems with automated control systems were installed and these were future-proofed for advances in technology. Rigorous cost control throughout meant the project was delivered successfully to the approved budget.

The sensitive approach to design and materials was recognised by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland with a Conservation Award.

Thomson Gray were an integral and critical part of the whole project which was particularly complex. Throughout the project, from start to finish, their surveyors did an excellent job in advising on and keeping control of cost, stage payments and extras.

Client, Moray Place