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Caption: OLD FISHMARKET CLOSE at home with Aaron Lawton
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Caption: Aaron Lawton was sold on this duplex penthouse within The Tron on Old Fishmarket Close in Edinburgh’s Old Town as soon as he saw the photos advertising the property online. Five years ago, the designer was living in a Georgian flat on Moray Place in the New Town but was hankering for a more vibrant location.
As Aaron says: “It’s a really unusual property. I viewed the flat that evening, and agreed the sale on the spot.”
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Caption: Aaron specialises in three-dimensional design for heritage projects - his work can be found in Scotland’s National Parks and Nature Reserves – so it goes without saying that he viewed this property with a keen eye for its design, both in terms of aesthetics and function.
As well as two bedrooms and two bathrooms, this penthouse has an incredible double-height living room with a projecting mezzanine study space that offers rooftop views towards Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags.
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Caption: This development itself is notable. As part of a £15 million regeneration of Tron Square, 20 Scottish architects were invited by Buredi - a joint venture urban regeneration company formed by The City of Edinburgh Council and the highly regarded Burrell Company - to submit design proposals for a mixed-use development that would replace a multi-storey car park in Old Fishmarket Close - one of Edinburgh’s oldest closes and part of the Old Town World Heritage Site.
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Caption: The development picked up a host of awards after its completion in 2004 including the Saltire Society Award for Housing Design 2004 and the Scottish Design Award for the Best Regeneration Project 2005.
I spoke to Aaron about what attracted him to this development, and what it's been like to live and work here.
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Caption: Why this property? "I had been living in a very beautiful Georgian flat, but the high ceilings and large single-glazed windows that were so nice in the summer made the flat almost uninhabitable in the cold winters.
Also, I wanted to live in the beating cultural heart of the city – a place close to the theatres, cinemas, galleries, music venues, restaurants and bars, and somewhere with a lively and interesting mix of people.
This location couldn’t be any closer to the city’s cultural centre. The double height living area and large windows gave me the sense of space I craved, and the mezzanine study offered the ideal working from home environment."
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Caption: "In almost any other flat I’d have been working from a second bedroom, whereas here I’m working within the main space of the flat all day, with the light and views. And the interior is so beautifully designed – it’s complex and subtle with an incredible sense of light and space, which is typical of Richard Murphy's buildings. Living here has made me realize how good a flat can be and how much that affects you on a daily basis."
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Caption: What have been the highlights of living here? "The space planning is wonderful. If you look at the main living areas, there’s this mix of intimacy in the dining area when you want a cozy meal, combined with this dramatic living space.
The master bedroom has a skylight that reminds me of the James Turrell Skyspace, and there’s a great arrangement of dressing room and ensuite. The panoramic view over the city from the ensuite makes taking a shower a high point of the day."
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Caption: "The panoramic view from the ensuite makes taking a shower a high point of the day."
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Caption: Although Aaron is now moving on to a new venture, as he says: “I’ll be surprised if I find a flat as good as this again.”
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Caption: "Living here has made me realise how good living in a flat can be, and how that affects you on a daily basis."
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Caption: ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEAN BEGLEY OF EXPOSURE photographyandfloorplans.co.uk
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Caption: With thanks to Aaron Lawton
