'The transformation is incredible' - Former Boroughmuir High School pupil is now selling stylish converted flats in building where he once studied

It’s a case of back to school for one former Edinburgh student…

Sales consultant Nicholas Levinson, an ex Boroughmuir High School pupil, has been given the unusual assignment of selling his old school’s classrooms which have been renovated into 87 stylish apartments.

The Grade B-listed early 20th century building at Viewforth, which was replaced with the new Boroughmuir High School in 2018, is one of the city’s most prized school buildings with its impressive exterior.

Nick is working with CALA Homes (East) in a rare chance to revisit his youth by working daily on site to sell a range of one to four bedroom mezzanine apartments.

The 37-year-old, who lives in Trinity with his partner, said: “When I take people around the different properties and tell them I was a pupil here, they usually ask me straight away which classroom or part of the building an apartment is. The transformation is incredible, it’s just so different on the inside to what it was when it was a school – it’s nice to see the building in its best light now.

“One of my favourite plots so far is plot 75 on the top floor, as it has huge vaulted (arched) ceilings beyond six metres and original feature beams. It was formerly a chemistry classroom. You’d never believe what it’s become.”

Nick is also keenly awaiting to see inside Plots 86 and 87 when they are completed, which will become two four-bedroom apartments and the largest properties at Boroughmuir. They are being built in a space that was the old school library.

He said clients have been left amazed at how the architect has ambitiously used the space and how bright and spacious the properties feel.

Nicholas Levinson is now selling flats which used to be classrooms at the former Boroughmuir High School building in Viewforth. Pictures: CALA Homes

Nick continued: “The apartments themselves are so impressive, with high spec and the city views from some of the homes on the second floor are something else – I spent many hours daydreaming, looking out those windows.

“Coming back has been quite nostalgic, seeing what we are achieving with the refurbishment has been really nice on a personal level. It’s also great to see the area of Bruntsfield has changed as well – it is now one of the city’s hotspots for independent shops, restaurants and bars – it’s certainly not the area it was when I was at school.”

The former school building, located in Bruntsfield, was built between 1911 and 1914.

It is the creation of renowned architect John Alexander Carfrae and was notably one of the first in Edinburgh to utilise a steel frame for architecture.

Inside a show apartment. Pic: CALA Homes

Each of the Boroughmuir apartments comes with lift access, allocated parking with access to electric vehicle charging points and access to a relaxing private residents’ courtyard.

Anyone seeking further information about the apartments at Boroughmuir, or who wants to book an appointment for a tour of the show apartment, can find out more here.

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