An exciting new development of three luxurious properties by leading Edinburgh-based developer Glencairn Properties offers prospective homebuyers a unique opportunity to live in a design-led townhouse in a prime location at Liberton Brae overlooking the Royal Observatory and Liberton Tower in Edinburgh’s sought-after south side area. 

Glencairn won the Innovation by Design award at the 2018 Scottish Home Awards and this highly innovative development of four-bedroom, two-storey townhouses showcase the developer’s focus on design with a contemporary interpretation of an existing agricultural barn. The development is situated in a secluded and private location within a collection of previously converted B-listed steading buildings and a notable 19th century farmhouse, which enjoys expansive and open westerly views over the Hermitage to Blackford Hill. 

Designed by LBA, a progressive and independent architectural and design practise, the properties are uniquely designed with a standing seam metal roof, vertical timber cladding and a wrapping stone wall base re-using the existing stone from the site. A standout interior feature is the central fully glazed void courtyard, which cuts through the roof and both floor levels ensuring maximum natural light and ventilation throughout. 

You enter directly into the hallway from a glass door behind a private timber screen in the front elevation, this extends past the internal courtyard with glass double doors that lead out onto it. Two double bedrooms open onto the courtyard at ground floor level with a further two bedrooms on the ground floor. There is also a smaller private bedroom courtyard with framed views through the stone wall across the fields to the west. 

Stairs lead from the ground floor up to a spacious open plan living area, which showcases the expansive open views perfectly with an impressive vaulted ceiling and floor to ceiling glazing opening onto a large external partially covered private terrace with frameless glass balustrades. The terrace is well placed to benefit from the sun during the day whilst providing a sheltered area to dine in the evening. 

As with all Glencairn Properties, the interior specification is of the highest level with state-of-the-art appliances throughout. The properties feature a contemporary designer Hacker German kitchen design with island, space for another large dining/ breakfast area and Neff appliances and a Franke Minerva 3 in 1 Tap. There is also Juliet balconies to both the dining and kitchen spaces which will give owners the opportunity to connect with one another at both ground and first floor levels across the courtyard.  

Bathrooms feature white sanitary ware from the Vitra range with Grohe taps and fittings. Towel warmers are fitted as standard to the bathroom and en-suite with underfloor heating, porcelain tiles and feature mirrors in all bathrooms. 
The ground floor storey stone wall of each townhouse property, which currently wraps and protects the barn, has been further incorporated into the design of the retaining wall to the front entrance of the building. Each townhouse also benefits from external covered storage units and BBQ Area. Three separate car parking spaces sit adjacent to the properties. 

The development as a whole enjoys a rural feel and has been sympathetically designed with natural stone walls and a wild flower green roof complementing the landscaped, shared wild meadow garden to the South aspect of the barn. 

Daryl Teague, director of Glencairn Properties, added: 

“We are incredibly proud of Liberton Tower, it epitomises the top end of design, is luxurious yet practical with spatial planning and flowing living space, custom design and striking architectural features that flood light into the properties. 

“We’ve worked closely with LBA throughout the design and build process to provide the highest quality contemporary design-led build and layout. The location is superb with unrivalled views and a real sense of privacy and space yet they’re on the south side of Edinburgh, close to the city, bypass network, countryside and literally on the doorstep of Morningside and Liberton.”  

Commenting on the design, Lynsay Bell, managing director of LBA Studio, reinforced the innovative architectural design of the development. 

“This is a truly innovative and outstanding development and we believe there really is no comparison in Edinburgh. It’s rare to find such a contemporary design in such a great location with unparalleled views across the iconic Edinburgh skyline.  The design of the properties with ‘hit and miss’ timber cladding will really come alive in the early evening with the glow of light from the internal spaces and with the backdrop of the observatory and Liberton Tower in the low level evening sun, it’s spectacular.”

Selling agent, Nick Watson, director of New Homes and Consultancy for Rettie & Co, said: 

“It is exciting to be assisting Glencairn Properties on a project such as this, which is pushing architectural boundaries and will be delivering properties of such an exceptional calibre.”