Historic Edinburgh Art Deco Buildings, Scottish Architecture Design, Scotland Architectural Style
The Best Historical Art Deco Buildings in Edinburgh
6 Oct 2020
Edinburgh is world-renowned for its castle, comedy festivals and friendly locals. But it is also well-known for its glorious architecture, which is being maintained with exceptional care and attention. Recently, Edinburgh World Heritage has been busy with the Canongate historic tenements conservation.
But even the buildings that are not over 300 years old gather attention in Edinburgh, especially the Art Deco buildings in the city. Learn more about Art Deco and where the best of these buildings are in Edinburgh, right here.
Maybury Gala Casino, west Edinburgh, Scotland:
photo © Maybury Gala Casino by Thomas Nugent, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The Best Historical Art Deco Buildings in Edinburgh, Scotland
What Characterises Art Deco?
Art Deco was made famous in the early 20th century, namely the 1920s and 1930s. It is characterised by geometric forms and handmade craftmanship using man-made materials. When looking at this style of buildings or furniture, you will often see complex geometry, sharp edges and smooth surfaces. It is a bold design flavour and is often synonymous with luxury and glamour.
Art Deco Buildings in Edinburgh
- White House
White House was designed and built in the 1930s when the style was so popular, so it is unsurprising that it is one of the best Art Deco buildings in Edinburgh. It became a pub, but in recent years it has transformed into a space to showcase art. Some would even say that this White House is fit for a president too.
- Maybury Casino
The Maybury Casino, built in 1935 for £25,000, is one fine example of Art Deco in Edinburgh. It was named among the best gambling locations in Europe, partly because of its design. It has maintained multiple statutes so that punters can come to marvel at their beauty just as much as enjoy poker and blackjack. The complex shape of the building itself is worthy of a visit.
- Castlebrae Business Centre
The industrial estates of eastern Edinburgh are not where you would expect to discover an Art Deco masterpiece – but you can. Today this building is a business centre, but it was initially built in the 1930s to be a secondary school. It wouldn’t look out of place along an oceanfront of some exotic surfing destination.
- Southside Garage
The Southside Garage in Causewayside is another example of how Art Deco is sprinkled across Edinburgh. It was designed in 1933 by Basil Spence and features a large galls window across the front. Today, it is not a garage, although the original sign can still be seen from the street. Instead, it is a wine emporium and a hit among locals.
How to Find Edinburgh’s Architectural Gems?
If you want to discover other architectural gems across Edinburgh, Art Deco or otherwise, you can do so on walking tours hosted specifically for architecture and art enthusiasts.
Learn more about Edinburgh walking tours here!
Comments on this Best Historical Art Deco Buildings in Edinburgh advice article are welcome.
Edinburgh Architecture
Scottish Capital Property Designs – recent architectural selection below:
3-8 St Andrew Square
Design: CDA and Gareth Hoskins Architects
photo © Adrian Welch
St Andrew Square Building
St James Quarter Edinburgh
image of the development
St James Quarter
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