Old Playhouse Close, 196 Canongate, Edinburgh

Heritage listing

Category B Date Added 14/12/1970 Local Authority Edinburgh Planning Authority Edinburgh Burgh Edinburgh NGR NT 26292 73715 Coordinates 326292, 673715 — 17th century (partially reconstructed, 1956-7 by Gordon and Dey - see Notes). 2-storey, attic and garrett, 5-bay symmetrical tenement with central round-arched pend. Harled rubble with sandstone ashlar dressings. Raised margins. Exposed rubble base-course. Pedimented and finialled gablets break eaves at 2nd floor, smaller dormers set within pitch of roof above. Turnpike stair tower to rear with further 3-storey wing to left of Playhouse Close. INTERIOR: Extensively modernised (1968) to provide accommodation and facilities for Moray House Institute of Education including classrooms, staff studies and proscenium theatre. Predominantly 12-pane timber sash and case windows. Scottish slate. Cast-iron rainwater goods. — A 17th century tenement block of traditional character, No 194-198 is notable for its regular composition and restrained detailing. This area of the Canongate has a strong lineage of tenement buildings that have been sensitively modified over time to create a particularly rich and varied streetscape. No 194-198 is a good example of this. The building is currently called the Simon Lawrie building and it is linked internally in 1956 to the tenement to the left for use by the Moray House Institute of Education, now part of University of Edinburgh. The historic and architectural value of Edinburgh's Canongate area as a whole cannot be overstated. Embodying a spirit of permanence while constantly evolving, its buildings reflect nearly 1000 years of political, religious and civic development in Scotland. The Canons of Holyrood Abbey were given leave by King David I to found the burgh of Canongate in 1140. Either side

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.