Plans approved for revamp of Edinburgh’s iconic Thomas Hamilton Building
POSTED ON July 25, 2024 BY James Garry
Redeveloping the iconic Edinburgh landmark into a brand-new cultural resource
Approval has been granted for the revitalization of the Thomas Hamilton Building in Edinburgh’s Regents Road, a project worth millions of pounds.
The initiative is being led by the Royal High School Preservation Trust (RHSPT), who aim to transform the building into a hub for culture and an important facility for music in Scotland.
The Old Royal High School, also referred to as New Parliament House, is a neoclassical building from the 19th century situated on Calton Hill. Initially constructed for the Royal High School, it was subsequently proposed as a possible site for the Scottish Assembly in the 1970s, which is when it acquired its alternate name.
A proposal was made in 2015 to repurpose the building for St Mary’s Music School, but the project was abandoned due to costs exceeding £110 million.
Plans were also put forward to transform the building into a luxury hotel, but they encountered significant resistance from heritage groups such as the Cockburn Association. The additional wings proposed were deemed incongruous with the building’s neoclassical architecture.
On completion, the renovated Thomas Hamilton Building will feature three performance venues, practice rooms, and a recording studio that will serve as a hub for Scotland’s varied music industry to work together and continue to celebrate the vibrant Scottish music and performance heritage. Additionally, the project will include new gardens and outdoor spaces, a café, conference and business amenities, as well as a bar with a vaulted ceiling.
Grant MacKenzie, executive director of the Royal High School Preservation Trust, said, “Receiving planning permission to begin making our vision for the building a reality is a milestone moment in our project’s journey. The Royal High School is both architecturally and culturally significant for Edinburgh, and we’re grateful to Edinburgh City Council for allowing us to bring it back into public use as an exciting indoor and outdoor cultural destination.”
