Property description
A magnificent and unique two/three-bedroom flat, formed by the conversion of a mansion house dating from the late 1800s, and occupying part of the first floor, with turret rooms and an open-air terrace at the upper levels. In an elevated location, commanding wide-ranging views of the Edinburgh skyline and all points beyond, the luxurious accommodation comprises a hall, living room/kitchen, two double bedrooms with en-suites, family bathroom, and study, with three open-air terraces at different levels. High-quality fixtures and fittings have been used in abundance, giving the property a modern feel, whilst retaining much of its original character. Noise-reducing underlay is featured throughout the first-floor, along with tall skirting boards in most rooms. The property also benefits from gas central heating and double glazing. There are well-maintained communal gardens, including allocated residential and visitor parking. The property occupies the southern corner of the building, and is flooded with natural light for much of the day. There is potential to create further living space due to the large attic above, subject to the usual consents. Liberton lies in the southern half of Edinburgh, some four miles south of the city centre. There is a good choice of shopping outlets on hand, including a large supermarket on Gilmerton Road, with further amenities available at the Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, on the way into the city. Newington is just a little further afield, with a good selection of local shops, and the Straiton Retail Park lies just outside the city bypass, to the south. Schooling is well represented from nursery to senior level, and an efficient public transport network is on hand, which operates to most parts of the city and surrounding areas. Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is just a five minute walk away, and Liberton Golf Club is directly opposite the property.
Hall - 17' 9'' x 7' 9'' (5.41m x 2.36m)
This welcoming hall accesses the living room/kitchen via double doors, and both bedrooms, with a newly carpeted staircase, leading to the family bathroom and attic, and to the turret staircase accessing the study and upper terrace. The flooring is Amtico, along with a radiator, the entryphone handset, a large skylight above the stairs, and inset ceiling lighting . A full-height store cupboard is next to the entry door, along with with a pair of understair cupboards, housing between them the electricity consumer unit, hot water tank, and a water tap.
Living Room/Kitchen - 28' 2'' x 15' 3'' (8.59m x 4.66m)
With a broadly south-easterly aspect, and a wide triple bay window to the front, overlooking the landscaped garden grounds and mature trees, the living room is equipped with a wood-burning stove on a slate plinth, and twin designer radiators, mounted each side of a décor wall panel, with wall lighting on the décor panel, and in the bay window. The ceiling lighting is inset, and spans the living room and kitchen, with a 5 amp lighting circuit for freestanding lamps, and satellite TV and telephone points. The flooring is of real wood, with traditional tall skirting boards. Dimensions indicate the total size, including the kitchen.
Kitchen
The luxurious open-plan kitchen is fitted with a host of designer features, and equipped with high-quality appliances and fittings throughout. At its heart is a silestone-topped breakfast bar with an induction hob and under-worktop sink with pillar tap, lit by a skylight, a pair of 'Elica' star pendants, inset ceiling lighting, and antique mirror splashback. The larger of the two tall wall units houses a wide selection of integrated appliances by Neff; a tall fridge and freezer, combination microwave oven, coffee maker, a pair of ovens, and warming and accessory drawers, with lighting from a set of unit-mounted downlighters. A pair of wall cabinets are mounted above the island, and the smaller wall unit houses a freestanding washing machine and tumble dryer, as well as providing storage space above. Transferrable warranties are available for all of the appliances. The floor tiling is by Fired Earth, with the tiled kitchen area taking up 3.04m of the overall room length.
Bedroom One - 13' 4'' x 12' 8'' (4.07m x 3.85m)
This double bedroom has a curved window arrangement to the side and front, with an integral door/window leading to the open terrace, and an en-suite to the front. The flooring is Amtico, continuing from the hall, with stepped coving, high skirtings, a radiator, and a four-point pendant light fitting, along with a 5 amp lighting circuit.
Bed One En-Suite - 7' 9'' x 6' 9'' (2.35m x 2.06m)
The first en-suite has a range of quality sanitaryware, and is laid out in a wet-room style, with an open shower cubicle fitted with a thermostatic mixer shower, and a two-piece suite in white, including a countertop washbasin on a vanity unit, concealed-cistern WC, and recessed vanity mirror cabinet. The floor is tiled, with underfloor heating, wall tiling to above head height, and low-level LED wall lighting. Other fitments include inset ceiling lighting, an extractor fan, towel racks, and three roller blinds to turret.
Terrace One
Accessed via a combination window and stable-style door from bedroom one, this terrace spans the exterior of bedroom one, has a crescent-shaped stone balustrade, overlooking the landscaped grounds, and has a broad southerly aspect. All of the terraces have been recently re-leaded, and fitted with floating composite decking, both for comfort and for ease of maintenance.
Bedroom Two - 17' 0'' x 9' 0'' (5.17m x 2.75m)
The second double bedroom has Amtico flooring continuing from the hall, with a double window to the front with window access to terrace, and a luxurious en-suite shower room, also to the front. Other fitments include roman blinds, a radiator, and a pendant light fitting, with a 5 amp lighting circuit. The full-depth fitted wardrobes are included in the sale.
Bed Two En-Suite - 7' 1'' x 5' 6'' (2.15m x 1.67m)
The second en-suite has a similar range of high-quality fittings to the first, with a two-piece suite including a vanity unit with countertop washbasin and concealed-cistern WC, recessed vanity mirror cabinet, along with a large shower cubicle with a thermostatic mixer shower. The walls are tiled to above head height, with Amtico flooring continuing from the bedroom, Roman blind, low-level LED wall lights, a heated towel rail in white, inset lighting, extractor fan, wall mirror and towel racks.
Bathroom - 11' 11'' x 8' 8'' (3.63m x 2.63m)
A spacious family bathroom, fitted with a three-piece suite in white, including a claw-foot roll-top bath, and a pedestal washbasin with vanity mirror above. The flooring is carpet, and the walls are tiled up to the picture rail, with an extractor fan, heated towel rail, inset ceiling lighting, and a roman blind on the external, 3/4 height door frame to the terrace.
Terrace Two
Accessed via a full-height door from the family bathroom, the second terrace has a broad south-westerly aspect, a part stone and part cast-iron balustrade rail, and is fitted with composite decking.
Attic
Accessed via full-height door from the first landing, and opposite the family bathroom, this L-shaped attic has lighting, power, and houses the central heating boiler and a freestanding tumble dryer. Length 9.4m approx. There is potential to create further living space, subject to the usual consents.
Study/Bedroom Three
Accessed via the turret's spiral staircase, with shallow stone parapet, and feature original cast iron circular railing. The broadly-circular study has almost an all-round aspect, with seven windows around the perimeter, along with an original open fireplace with tiled hearth, and two radiators. The décor herein, and in the surrounding staircase has a nautical theme, with the walls papered with authentic naval charts and maps. The flooring is Amtico, with a pendant light fitting, radiator, and dark mahogany wooden blinds all round. Diameter approx. 3.65m. Off the spiral staircase is a small understair utility cupboard.
Terrace Three
At the highest accessible point of the building, this circular terrace, with a stone balustrade around its perimeter, affords a panoramic view of the Edinburgh skyline, and takes in all points beyond, such as the East Lothian coastline, the Pentland Hills, and the Forth Estuary. Accessed via a double-glazed timber door from the spiral staircase, and fitted with composite decking, it has stunning uninterrupted views, this is also an ideal spot from which to appreciate many of the architectural details of the building as a whole, including the scalloped roof slates, ornate stonework. Diameter approx. 5m.
Communal Areas
Entry is via a pillared porch and entry hall. The hall has original wood flooring, wood paneling, and a pair of marble pillars supporting the archway leading to the grand communal reception hall. A large walk-in cupboard houses electrical switchgear, controls for the internal and external lighting, smoke detector system, and CCTV security system .The grand reception hall is panelled all round, with the original double-sweep staircase with carved balusters leading to the first floor, large under stair storage cupboard, carpeted flooring throughout, and a wealth of architectural detail, including cornicework, carvings, and a finely- detailed ceiling surrounding the large cupola at its peak.
Gardens
The spacious, well-maintained gardens are laid mainly to lawn, with planting borders, and mature shrubs and trees. The boundaries are a mix of wood and wire fencing, hedging, and stone walls, and the driveway incorporates allocated residential and visitor parking.
Extras
All curtains, blinds and fittings are included in the sale. Many of the movables and furnishings, such as the wall-mounted TV in the living room, washing machine and tumble dryer in the kitchen, tumble dryer in the attic are available by negotiation.
History
Built in the late 1800s by Edinburgh-based glove and breech maker William Christie, Craigend Park, as it was known, was the culmination of a nine-year search for the sunniest plot of land in the area. To the locals, it quickly became known as \"The Castle O'Breeches\", and is widely regarded as one of the most unique buildings in the country, with an architectural character all of its own, a character that has been described as 'somewhere between neo-Italianate and Scottish baronial'. Christie's architect brought craftsmen in from Italy to fashion the plasterwork on the ceilings, and carved woodwork was included everywhere, from the curved front door, all the way up to the a spectacular double-sweep staircase with carved balusters, topped off with a huge cupola. Carved stonework, sculpted ironwork, Ballachulish slate, scalloped and shaped like fish scales, and friezes above the windows and around collonades were all included, with even the downpipes formed with spiral designs, and held in place by carved gargoyles.
Property Features :
- A magnificent and unique two/three-bedroom flat, formed by the conversion of a mansion house dating
- In an elevated location, commanding wide-ranging views of the Edinburgh skyline and all points beyo
- High-quality fixtures and fittings have been used in abundance, giving the property a modern feel,
- Noise-reducing underlay is featured throughout the first-floor, along with tall skirting boards in
- There are well-maintained communal gardens, including allocated residential and visitor parking.