Rettie are proud to bring 42 Heriot Row, current headquarters of the Scottish Women’s Institutes, to the market.
The property is a substantial and beautiful category ‘A’ listed townhouse in the sought-after New Town in Edinburgh. Despite being currently used as an office over three storeys, the property has the potential to be converted back into residential use.
The building has been used as the headquarters of Scottish Women’s Institutes, one of Scotland’s leading membership bodies, since 1951, giving members from around the country a central location to learn and debate.
The building holds great memories and many wonderful items which play a huge part in Scotland’s rich heritage. The commitment to preserve these has led to the sale of 42 Heriot Row.
Scottish Women’s Institutes members have now approved a plan to develop a Visitor Learning Centre where the heritage can be displayed for the nation and all women in Scotland can learn and share skills. The team at headquarters will be relocating to new temporary premises while working towards realising that exciting vision.
Diane Cooper, CEO of Scottish Women’s Institutes, commented:
“We are delighted to work with Rettie on selling 42 Heriot Row, which has been an important place for Scottish Women's Insitutes' members for so many decades. Max Mills and his team have excelled in all areas and made our transition into a new future for our organisation as smooth as possible, providing many viewings and a great deal of interest from the start. This will enable us to embark on the next steps of our three-year plan to make the most of our rich heritage and create a new learning centre for women in Scotland - these are exciting times for Scottish Women's Institutes.”
The building has also hosted members of the royal family down the years, most notably in 1964 when Queen Elizabeth II, herself a member and great supporter of Scottish Women’s Institutes, visited to learn more about the reach of the membership body. The building enjoys an unmatched south-west facing corner position (where India Street meets Heriot Row), and a magnificent outlook from ground and first floors over Queen Street Gardens West. Heriot Row is situated in a central location with immediate proximity to the city centre.
This ‘A’ listed area of the New Town looks very much the same as when it was built, a complete Georgian townscape which is designated a UNESCO world heritage site due to its architectural importance. Residents are eligible for membership of Queen Street Gardens West, the private gardens opposite the property (subject to waiting times).
Max Mills, Director of Residential Sales at Rettie Edinburgh, commented:
“It's a great honour to be trusted with the sale of 42 Heriot Row. We fully appreciate the rich history, and sentimental value that the property holds for members of the Scottish Women's Institutes. Rettie is a family run business at heart, with local knowledge and expertise, and we are committed to finding a suitable buyer to preserve and enjoy this wonderful building for many more years to come.”