Craigmillar art deco building opens after its £2m restoration

THE historic art deco White House has been officially re-opened after the completion of a £2 million restoration project.

The 1930s building in Craigmillar has become a symbol of the regeneration taking place in the area and it is now hoped it will have a long-term future as a community facility.

The B-listed building, designed in 1936 by William Innes Thomson, has been restored in a project funded by the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund (TCRF), and supported by PARC, the organisation driving the area's regeneration.

A stunning example of art deco architecture, it is also one of Scotland's last remaining roadhouses, which were made popular by the motoring boom of the inter-war years.

It was an important focal point for the community throughout the post-war period, but has been empty for more than a decade, and it's crumbling facade and vandalised interior became synonymous with the area's overall decline.

The White House design team brought together Edinburgh-based architects Smith Scott Mullan Associates working closely with contractors Thomas Johnstone.

Inside the building, painstaking effort was made in recreating authentic art deco interiors, using the building's original linen blueprint unearthed from the city council's archive.

As well as restoring the building, the White House project included work to improve infrastructure, services and the surrounding area, intended as the first step towards creating a traditional high street with commercial developments.

PARC's operations director, Eric Adair, said: "The White House stands at the heart of the Craigmillar regeneration area, and its restoration will be a source of genuine pride for everyone living here.

"The building's rebirth will have a real benefit to the area both as a local resource but also as a prominent statement that Craigmillar's regeneration is well under way."

For the next 12 weeks the White House will host an exhibition showcasing the past, present and future of Craigmillar, featuring displays of the White House itself and the renovation project, as well as the area's heritage and PARC's plans for the future.

A long-term use has still to be decided upon, although Mr Adair said: "We haven't settled yet on what the restored White House will be. But we have been working closely with local people, community organisations and commercial partners to identify a sustainable long-term use and ideally it will be used by the community."

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill MSP was set to attend the opening today.

Funding boost for portrait gallery project

THE Portrait of the Nation project to renovate the Scottish National Portrait Gallery has received a 2 million funding boost from the Scottish Government.

The grant means the initial target for the first phase of the fundraising campaign has been reached, and renovations to the building can be completed.

Minister for Culture Fiona Hyslop said: "The renovated National Portrait Gallery will be a celebration of Scottish art, culture and history displaying one of our most valued collections in an impressive and innovative space."

John Leighton, director-general of the National Galleries of Scotland said: "We are delighted that this boost in funding will now enable us to concentrate on raising funds for new programmes, activities and displays."