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 NamesThe following alternative names are associated with this building/design: | | Name | Current name? | Notes | | Baptist Church | Yes | Current use | | Cinema Theatre | | After conversion in 1913 | | Picture House | | Subsequent to being Cinema Theatre; prior to change of name to Star Cinema | | Star Cinema | | Most recent cinema name |
Building Type ClassificationThe building is classified under the following categories: | | Classification | Original classification? | Notes | | Town hall | | |
Street AddressesThe following street addresses are associated with this building: | | Address | Main entrance? | Notes | | 189-193, High Street | Yes | |
EventsThe following date-based events are associated with this building: | | From | To | Event type | Notes | | 1860 | 1865 | | | | 4 August 1862 | | | Foundation stone | | 1912 | 1913 | | Conversion of town hall into cinema |
PeopleDesign and ConstructionThe 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. | | Name | Role | Partnership Group | From | To | Notes | | David Bryce | | | 1860 | 1865 | | | (Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer | | A | 1912 | 1913 | Conversion of town hall into cinema, in partnership with Matthew prior to change of practice title | | John Fraser Matthew | | A | 1912 | 1913 | Conversion of town hall into cinema, in partnership with Lorimer prior to change of practice title |
ClientsThe following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design: | | Name | Notes | | Portobello Town Council | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this building: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Baird, William | 1898 | History of Duddingston and Portobello | | | | | www.scottishcinemas.org.uk | | www.scottishcinemas.org.uk | | Scottish Cinemas website and database | Database accessed April 2006 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this building: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Building News | 27 June 1862 | | | p454 | | Edinburgh Evening Courant | 5 August 1862 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this building: | | Source | Archive name | Source catalogue no. | Notes | | Edinburgh City Archives | Edinburgh Dean of Guild | | January 1898 etc | | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | 27405 | | | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | Lorimer and Matthew Collection | | LOR E/124 |
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