Property: Stay ahead of the Capital curve

A New Town development offers a warehouse conversion with chic contemporary style, writes Kirsty McLuckie

16 Union Street

A development in Edinburgh’s New Town has just completed, bringing a totally contemporary look to a traditional part of the city.

Number 16 Union Street is a unique collection of 11 apartments, comprising old and new styles and formed from the conversion of an existing Edwardian warehouse and a new-build block with a distinctive curved facade on the street side.

The apartments, built by Sundial Properties and Blagden Property are all now completed, with luxury kitchens, bathrooms, wooden floors, plush carpets, technology and finishes.

16 Union Street

The complex has an impressive secure central courtyard with lift access to all floors. Ground floor apartments each have a patio area while those above have balconies.

There is also lift access to the lower ground car park, which has a remote-controlled door, bicycle spaces and charging points for electric cars.

Roof solar panels serve the communal lighting and electricity supply, and the apartments have video entryphone systems which can be remotely controlled by smartphone.

Catriona Aitchison, of Sundial Properties, says: “Of the 11 apartments, four remain available; the others having been purchased off-plan.

16 Union Street

“They are set around a beautiful and private central landscaped courtyard which you walk through to enter. The common stairwell is a feature in itself – constructed of steel and vertical wood slats, and finished with aged metal planters filled with shrubs – it makes for an impressive entrance.”

Aitchison explains that the Union Street project has been delayed by the pandemic: “We have been on-site on and off with Covid, the apartments were originally due to be completed in August 2020.”

Sundial worked closely with the planners from the design stage, considering the curve of the wall and the colour of the stone to allow number 16 to fit in with the surrounding buildings.

The firm used its own in-house architects, while the kitchens are the work of Cameron Interiors with Siemens appliances, and the finish throughout the homes is high-end.

Buyers at the development so far have included people relocating from London and the US, downsizers and investors.

Aitchison adds: “What is so superb about the development is that it is so quietly tucked away, and in a really sunny spot, but it is literally round the corner from the new St James Quarter, which is nearing completion.

“You have trams and buses on the doorstep, but the immediate area has everything you need. Because of the private nature of the courtyard, it is quiet and feels like an oasis in the centre of the city.”

Two one-bedroom apartments are still available, both with private west-facing decked balconies, with fixed prices of £315,000, there is also a two-bedroom home with two bathrooms, priced at £450,000, and one three-bedroom apartment with a private balcony, priced at £545,000.

One remaining secure lower-ground car parking space with a charging point is still available, priced at £40,000.

Elsewhere in the city, Sundial is working on its next development –

a mill conversion at Bells Brae in Dean Village. The company has already built a selection of contemporary townhouses at the site overlooking the Water of Leith, and this phase will complete the project.

Ten apartments are scheduled, some duplexes, and will offer one, two and three bedrooms and underground parking. The development is due to launch towards the end of the year.

For more information on the remaining properties at 16 Union Street, contact Knight Frank on 0131-222 9600.

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