Mansion set for new lease of life

THE future of a historic Georgian mansion is set to be safeguarded by transforming the landmark building into a company headquarters.

The 19th-century Muirhouse Mansion on the city’s waterfront has lain empty for three years amid concern that the high cost of its upkeep would lead to it falling into disrepair.

Now the city council, which owns the property, has begun talks with an unnamed company aimed at converting its interior into a modern office block.

City heritage groups have welcomed the prospect of a long-term tenant for the Marine Drive property, and the end of an uncertain period in its history.

The mansion, well-known for its massive ornate chimneys, its carved stonework and Jacobean ceiling, was once home to one of Edinburgh’s most prominent families, the Davidson family.

The council has already spent more than 100,000 on urgent repairs to the Grade-A listed Gothic home, after an inspection in 1999 revealed serious structural problems.

Today, the council refused to reveal the identity of the firm interested in the property, but a spokesman said: "Negotiations are continuing with a company who are considering refurbishing it for use as an office and headquarters.

"It would need a complete internal refurbishment."

It is believed the council wants to negotiate a long-term lease of anything up to 125 years with a rent of around 40,000 a year.

Martin Hulse, director of the Cockburn Association, said: "This is a beautiful building which is in a fantastic location. It has immense architectural and historical significance because of its design."

He added: "It would be great to have a long-term tenant in there to ensure its long-term survival.

"It is never good to see a building like this vacant."

Muirhouse councillor Lesley Hinds said: "I would welcome it. It has been empty for quite a long time now.

"Obviously, it would be good if the building was used."

A spokesman for Edinburgh property consultants DM Hall said the interior of the mansion would have to be completely overhauled for offices.

He said: "It would be very difficult to run as an office with individual rooms and the fact that it is not open-plan.

"That is why many of the city’s Georgian homes have been turned back into residential properties."

Dr Sean O’Reilly, director of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, said: "We are supportive of any building which is given a new use subject to building consent."

Dave Pickering, secretary of the Drylaw and Telford Community Council, also welcomed the plan: "I think it is a good idea.

"It has been a target for vandals and it would be good if it was used, but it does depend on who the tenant is."

Muirhouse Mansion was built in 1832 by Captain William Davidson on the Muirhouse estate, home to the Davidson family since 1776.

It was designed by local architects Richard and Robert Dickson, also responsible for Leith Town Hall.

From around 1950, businessman William Thow Munro took up residence in the mansion.

Edinburgh council bought the building for 48,500 in 1936 to convert it into a convalescent home for tuberculosis sufferers.

But it later leased the property out , with the last tenant, advertising agency McCann-Erickson Scotland, moving out in 1999.