Historical Foundations of Edinburgh's Residential Properties

The influence of historical periods is undeniable when traversing the landscape of Edinburgh’s residential properties. Let’s take a look at how the Mediaeval Period, the Renaissance and Edinburgh Castle have played such a significant role in its makeup.

The Mediaeval Period

It’s no secret that Mediaeval times inspired Edinburgh’s numerous castles and fortifications, defensive walls and gates, as well as the winding alleys known as closes and wynds that connected main thoroughfares.

Gothic architecture was scattered around the city, including St. Giles' Cathedral, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, as well as several other churches and chapels – many of which there are only remnants left.

Residential properties were cast out of thick brick and small windows were installed to accommodate the confinements and conditions of the city at the time, as well as to stand up against intruders. 

These properties in particular are reflective of the Old Town and have either been restored to reflect the time period when they were first built or mirrored in modern developments in the New Town.

The Renaissance Influence

The 16th and 17th centuries brought with them a strong shift in the creation of structures as designers and builders alike began to incorporate more classical design principles into their work.

A focus on symmetry, proportion and a revival of the architectural styles of ancient Greece and Rome were adopted, and principles of the Renaissance were adapted to suit the climate through the use of local materials. 

A growing interest in classical learning, humanism, and artistic pursuits during this time led to more intricate detailing in the making of residential properties, both in terms of their facade and their interior.

With the rise of the merchant class, many of whom lived in the heart of the city, they began to take over many developments through their involvement in the trades and market spaces, urban development and much more.

When building townhouses, how they were constructed became a reflection of a person’s wealth and status in society, characterised by their size and the level of detail afforded to them.

Edinburgh Castle and its Influence

We can’t talk about the mediaeval period and the influence it had on how residential properties were structured in Edinburgh without talking about Edinburgh Castle. 

An idol for the type of construction other buildings emulated, it served as a fortress, royal residence and refuge during mediaeval war times to protect the Scots from attacks.

Dating back to at least the 12th century, its positioning on Castle Hill was nothing short of strategic in terms of its ability to act as a place of security, and everything built around it was designed to do the same. 

Edinburgh Castle's architectural influence extends beyond its walls, shaping the urban fabric, landmarks, and infrastructure of its surrounding areas. 

There’s no doubt about it, its historical and cultural significance has contributed to the identity and development of the city of Edinburgh as a whole and will continue for generations to come. 

Victorian and Edwardian Influences

During the Victorian and Edwardian periods, the focus of architecture turned towards reviving styles of the past, including Gothic Revival, Italianate, Scottish Baronial, and Classical Revival.

From extensive rustication to domed corner top roof pavilions and ornate maximalist interior design, their influence is evident in the residential properties still standing today.

The Grandeur of the Victorian Era

The Victorian era during the 19th and 20th centuries brought with it an eclectic fascination with design styles of the past, much of which exuded elegance and an immense amount of attention paid to detail.

The Gothic Revival looked a lot like buildings with pointed arches, ribbed vaults and decorative latticework, with many residential properties consisting of steep roofs, pointed windows and intricate stone carvings.

Italianate architecture was also heavily drawn from for inspiration, as Italian-style villas with their tall, narrow windows, decorative brackets and low-pitched roofs became a common sight to see.

Also influenced by other European architectural designs, the Victorian era embraced the Second Empire Style which originated in France, as well as the Romanesque Revival, and the Neo-Classical Revival.

These styles were showcased through mansard roofs, ornate ironwork, decorative windows, rounded arches, massive stonework, columns, pediments and symmetrical facades – just to name a few. 

During this time, as industries began to grow, an influx of people from rural areas made the move to the urban centres and a re-think of how the city layout would accommodate all the new people was required.

Tenement housing, where blocks of flats or apartments were stacked vertically, became the new normal, and working-class families in particular were squeezed into compact units.

Brick and steel began to be mass-produced, and the increase in available materials led to multi-story flats and ever-expanding neighbourhoods.

As a result, with that came various regulations on overcrowding, safety and sanitisation.

Not too dissimilar from how most communities are set up now, certain areas were attributed to wealthier people and more extravagant dwellings, while others were known as being home to lower socio-economic groups.

The Edwardian Era and the Royal Mile

While the Victorian and Edwardian styles are incredibly closely related due to the time period they were most prevalent in, there are some distinct differences when it comes to their impact on residential property styles.

Both born in the 19th and  20th centuries, the Victorian era came first and covered the reign of Queen Victoria between 1837-1901. The Edwardian era followed and refers to the period during the reign of King Edward VII from 1901-1910. 

As discussed earlier, the Victorian era was renowned for its willingness to welcome a real mix of historic design styles that were reflected in the details of many residential properties in Edinburgh.

On the other hand, the Edwardian era was much more focused on keeping things simple – there was no need to complicate design techniques and restraint was shown in terms of decoration limits. 

While Victorian buildings were characterised by their ornate and intricate detailing, contrasting materials and incorporation of history, Edwardian-style properties were influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement where clean lines, order and refinement were of the utmost importance.

Brick, stone and wood were often combined and commonly used to construct elaborate Victorian styles in all their glory.

The same materials were used in Edwardian homes but rather the emphasis was laid on showing their inherent beauty.

The Royal Mile played an enormous part in how residential structures were built during this time due to the increased need for tenements that could be constructed quickly and house many.

Located in the Old Town, it consists of a series of streets that run off it and connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where these tenements line the main thoroughfare and are home to a large population.

Modern Residential Properties and the Blend of Old and New 

There’s no way around it, we can’t focus on the new without acknowledging and respecting how the past has paved the way for Edinburgh’s architecture and relevance as a historical site. 

Let’s take a look at how the blend of Old and New has shaped this beautiful city and its residential properties.

The Rise of Modernist Architecture in New Town

Unlike many modern structures, historic buildings seem to mostly stand the test of time thanks to the materials used and the quality of the craftsmanship from the period in which they were built. 

This is most definitely the case when it comes to Edinburgh.

When the New Town was developed, extending the Old Town and creating more dwellings to house as many people as possible was all part of the plan. 

Known for its Victorian and Neo-classical architecture, much of its history has been preserved in the residential buildings that stand there today, but as with anything, time tends to wear features thin.

Scottish architecture is sacred to the city, so when repairs or renovations are required for these New Town homes, the goal is often to future-proof them all while maintaining the historic style and unique elements of the home.

At the same time, some wealthier areas have taken on more of a modernist approach, as new developments move away from efficiency and toward open-plan spaces, large windows and higher ceilings.

Sustainable Designs and Green Buildings

Like many countries and cities across the globe, Edinburgh has jumped head-first into launching sustainability initiatives to lessen its carbon footprint and have a more positive impact on the planet.

So much so, the city has set a goal to become carbon neutral by 2030, a process which includes retrofitting existing buildings and encouraging more sustainable building practices.

Part of this involves companies working towards gaining sustainable certifications such as the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) title.

In addition to encouraging energy-efficient renovation practices, buildings exist like the Scottish Parliament Building, which is designed to use natural light where possible to reduce the need for electricity, and the Edinburgh College of Art roof, which helps with rainwater management and wildlife preservation. 

Preserving Heritage while Embracing the New

Edinburgh’s architecture and the rich history and cultural heritage that lies within its walls are inevitably part of its identity, providing those who live there with a strong sense of place and purpose.

While change is the only constant and the introduction of more modern architecture will continue, conservation regulations and historic delegations have been put in place to protect the history of these buildings and residences. 

When it comes to urban planning, designers and those involved in bringing a vision to life are required to pay careful consideration to the old and the new, allowing Edinburgh’s story to continue to develop.

Public consultations are also regularly held whenever a new project for the city has been presented to allow for voices to be heard, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.

Final Thoughts

All you have to do is look at the shapes and angles of vertical housing, tall, narrow windows and detailed ornamentation to know that you’re in Edinburgh – a place where the architectural history runs as deep as the culture that has always surrounded it.

From influential style periods to traditions and the socio-political state of the city, it is impossible not to see that every part of Edinburgh’s composition tells a story from a moment in time.

And while times are always changing and modernisation continues to take over in more ways than one, one thing is for sure – the evolution of residential properties in Edinburgh will never stray too far from where it all began.

Borthwick Decorators: Preserving and Enhancing Edinburgh's Residential Beauty

At Borthwick Decorators, our intention is just that –  to create a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation in Edinburgh’s residential areas. 

With over 60 years of experience working in residential painting and decorating, we’ve worked on countless properties that serve as proof of the journey the city has made through time, historically and culturally.

Each job we undertake in Edinburgh and Central Scotland is handled by our fully qualified in-house painters and decorators using the best materials on the market to reinforce and renovate historical architecture.

From Victorian-style archways to mediaeval-inspired finishings, we take pride in our ability to preserve the natural state of older homes and give them the love and attention they require to be enjoyed for many years to come.