In 2021, Northumberland Street Properties appointed Block Nine to develop new design proposals for an apartment block in the characterful area of Morningside in Edinburgh.

Having previously gained Planning approval for 3 townhouses on the site, our new client had a different approach and sought to deliver a small contemporary apartment block comprising 7 high quality apartments. Our experience in gaining the earlier approval meant we were well acquainted with the complexities of this highly constrained plot, also located within a Conservation Area.

The design process carried out on the previous scheme gave us an advantage in knowing and understanding what the local authority would likely support, so we worked closely with our new client, explaining the constraints and expectations for the site while working to the adapted design brief. Planning approval was successful on the first attempt and was received early 2022.

Compared with the earlier consented scheme, which was for 3 no. 5 bedroom townhouses set across 5 floors, the new proposals are for the construction of 7 no. 2 bedroom apartments across 4 floors.

Given the growing requirement for additional housing within the city, we believed the increased capacity within a building of similar scale and proportion to the consented scheme was appropriate and better suited to the site.

Balconies are proposed as part of the proposals to provide external amenity for the occupants which is also highly desirable for purchasers. These help articulate the form and proportion of the building, giving definition and depth to the proposals and are softened by the use of frameless glass balustrades.

For the material palette, sandstone is proposed on the primary street facade, returned around both the east and west corners. This will be complemented by a rustic, sandstone coloured brick, accented by the use of a mid-grey composite cladding to the top floor which is complementary to the slate roofs within the area and is a contemporary interpretation of this.

Feature dark grey louvers also provide privacy to the south elevation.

Sustainability is at the forefront of these proposals, with the building surpassing the minimum standards set out within the Building Regulations, achieving Silver Aspect Level 2.

This project was successfully completed in 2024.