We are progressing designs for the conversion of two warehouses in Edinburgh into aparthotels: a listed Victorian warehouse in the New Town and a 1950’s red brick warehouse in Leith. Here is a closer look at the history of the Victorian warehouse on Thistle Street. Category C listed 11 - 15 Thistle Street is an example of a warehouse typology which is common to the Edinburgh New Town Area. It was built in the first half of the 19th century as a printing works and warehouse for the famous Edinburgh entrepreneurs William and Robert Chambers – the creators of the Chambers Encyclopaedia and Dictionary. By 1951 W. & R. Chambers had moved to a larger site and the building had become the Queen’s Printing Works which would have printed official government documents. The building underwent a significant expansion in 1854, when it was extended from 9 bays to its current 18. In 1887, a new top floor and roof were added, along with the creation of a connection between two buildings. Historic drawings reveal the full scope of these alterations, capturing the building’s evolution over time. The external elevation of 11-15 Thistle Street tells the story of the building’s physical development, reflecting the changing functions and demands placed on it. It is a testament to the building’s ability to adapt and evolve in response to its purpose and use. In our proposal, we aim to preserve and enhance the character of the existing building as much as possible, ensuring its legacy for future generations. We look forward to seeing this exciting project progress on site soon. Photo credits: @tfm.photos #odonnellbrownarchitects #odonnellbrown #architecture #edinburgh #retrofit #newtown #glasgowarchitects #hoteldesign #aparthotel #design #heritage #conservation #edinburgharchitecture