10/10/2007
Blackburn House Resurrected
Graham + Sibbald are delighted to have been appointed as the sole agents to lease Blackburn House.
Blackburn House, originally built in 1772, is set to become the creation of a bespoke centre for the Creative Industries in West Lothian, which represents the first bespoke development for the creative sector in the Central Belt outside Edinburgh and Glasgow.
This property is ideally located between Livingston and Blackburn providing easy access to Edinburgh and Glasgow. There is a central mansion house with two pavilions, each on either side, with a further range of outbuildings, including a doocot, plus ample parking adjacent. The buildings extend to a gross internal area of 828 sqm (8909 sqft).
The main house has accommodation over four floors. The principal public rooms provide spacious elegance and lend themselves perfectly for use as reception or meeting rooms, gallery space, or film location. The accommodation is ideally suited for offices, library and archive, conference and training, digital media creation and editing benefits from both a central staircase and a lift, and is plentifully equipped with kitchens and toilets.
Keith Watters comments: “The renovation will be completed in the beginning of the new year, and there is a great sense of anticipation in looking forward to the building returning to both its original splendour and to a productive future”. This property will attract creative industries SMEs, who provide a supportive and creative environment.
Matthew Rooke of Arthouse UK comments: “This building, one of Scotland’s Category “A” listed gems, was once one of the most endangered buildings in the country. Now, with the backing and vision of the Cockburn Conservation Trust, the HLF, Historic Scotland, SEEL, ESEP and West Lothian Council, it is being transformed into one of the jewels in Scotland’s architectural crown. We know that Scotland’s creative talent ranks amongst the best in the world – now they can have a home fit for a King. This project combines the best of both worlds – an outstanding heritage building with all the benefits of a complete multi-million pound restoration by one of the finest conservation architectural practices in the country with the latest plant and services that you would find in any contemporary development. Add to this the proximity to Livingston, a major centre in its own right, and ease of access to Glasgow and Edinburgh via the motorway network and of course major air and rail links too and you have a truly unique building at the hub of Scotland’s national and international communications networks”.
Work started on site end 2005 and is set for completion in January 2008.
