Basic Site Details

Name: Portobello Old Town Hall
Town, district or village: Portobello
City or county: Edinburgh
Country: Scotland
Parish:  
Status:  
Grid ref:
Notes: The plans for the proposed new Town Hall have been prepared by Mr. David Bryce, architect, Edinburgh, and approved of by the Building Committee, and the estimates are now being taken for the erection of the building, which is to be of the old Scotch baronial style, and will prove a handsome addition to the street architecture of the burgh. The work will be commenced as soon as the estimates are settled upon, and it is expected that the foundation stone will be laid early in the season, with full masonic honours. Communications have been entered into with his Grace the Duke of Atholl, grand master of the lodge of Edinburgh, to lay the foundation stone towards the end of July next. [Building News 27 June 1862 p454]

Alternative Names

The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:
 NameCurrent name?Notes
Item 1 of 4Baptist ChurchYesCurrent use
Item 2 of 4Cinema Theatre After conversion in 1913
Item 3 of 4Picture House Subsequent to being Cinema Theatre; prior to change of name to Star Cinema
Item 4 of 4Star Cinema Most recent cinema name

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:
 ClassificationOriginal classification?Notes
Item 1 of 1Town hall  

Street Addresses

The following street addresses are associated with this building:
 AddressMain entrance?Notes
Item 1 of 1189-193, High StreetYes 

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
 FromToEvent typeNotes
Item 1 of 318601865  
Item 2 of 34 August 1862  Foundation stone
Item 3 of 319121913 Conversion of town hall into cinema

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
 NameRolePartnership GroupFromToNotes
Item 1 of 3David Bryce  18601865 
Item 2 of 3(Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer A19121913Conversion of town hall into cinema, in partnership with Matthew prior to change of practice title
Item 3 of 3John Fraser Matthew A19121913Conversion of town hall into cinema, in partnership with Lorimer prior to change of practice title

Clients

The following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design:
 NameNotes
Item 1 of 1Portobello Town Council 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Baird, William1898History of Duddingston and Portobello   
Item 2 of 2www.scottishcinemas.org.uk www.scottishcinemas.org.uk Scottish Cinemas website and databaseDatabase accessed April 2006

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Building News27 June 1862  p454
Item 2 of 2Edinburgh Evening Courant5 August 1862   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
 SourceArchive nameSource catalogue no.Notes
Item 1 of 3Edinburgh City ArchivesEdinburgh Dean of Guild January 1898 etc
Item 2 of 3Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register27405 
Item 3 of 3National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSLorimer and Matthew Collection LOR E/124