The Playfair at Donaldson's: An Iconic Residence

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The Playfair at Donaldson’s

Have you ever wondered what living in a historic building would be like? I know I certainly have! I’ve admired Donaldson's from afar for many years. It’s one of Edinburgh’s most iconic and impressive buildings and has recently been lovingly restored and converted into luxury residences by City & Country, one of the UK’s leading heritage developers. They kindly invited me to tour the building on a wintry December day and it was such a treat to finally see what lies behind its grand facade and towering turrets.

As stunning as it is outside, the magic of the building really comes alive once you step inside. Think elegant corridors, rich wood panelling and beautiful stone archways, all surrounding an incredible central courtyard.

Donaldson’s: A short history

Designed by the eminent Edinburgh architect William Henry Playfair in the style of an Elizabethan palace, Donaldson’s was built as a school at the bequest of James Donaldson. The building was officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1850. Rumour has it that she was so taken with the building that she would happily have swapped Holyrood Palace, her official Scottish residence, for Donaldson’s. The school admitted its first pupils in 1851 and later specialised in teaching deaf children. It remained open until 2007 when Donaldson’s moved to a purpose-built school in Linlithgow, more suited to modern educational needs. The building was purchased by City & Country in 2014 and an extensive renovation project began.

An Iconic Residence

The Playfair at Donaldson’s now contains over 100 luxury residences. The apartments, ranging from one-, two- and three-bedrooms, are all completely unique, offering contemporary aesthetics and amenities with old-world charm and period features. Each of The Playfair apartments have been designed to optimise natural light, making the most of the large period windows, tall ceilings and impressive proportions. Some even have their own turret (or two!) I was lucky enough to see a stunning penthouse with its own private roof terrace and the most incredible view of Edinburgh Castle. Talk about a unique residence! Equally impressive, other Playfair apartments have views across to the Pentland Hills and the Firth of Forth.

The Club Room & Chapel Room

The Playfair at Donaldson’s also offers a range of on-site amenities to its residents, including a concierge service and underground parking. Residents also benefit from access to The Club Room and The Chapel Room, two boutique communal areas set in the heart of the historic building where residents can relax and unwind.

The Grounds

The Playfair at Donaldson’s was once surrounded by open fields and was built on an elevated terrace to maximise its remarkable views of the city and hills beyond. Today, the building is nestled within 18 acres of private parkland, featuring carefully designed grounds, mature trees and sweeping open lawns. Within the building, there is also a stunning internal courtyard for residents to enjoy. The overall effect is that of a rural country estate—an oasis of calm, but with the joys of the city just minutes away.

Local Area

Situated between Murrayfield Stadium and Princes Street, The Playfair at Donaldson’s can be found in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic and incredibly beautiful West End. The building is a short walk from Haymarket Station and is within walking distance of all of the joys Edinburgh has to offer, including some of the city’s best restaurants, shops and attractions.

Do you dream of living in a historic building? The final seven apartments at The Playfair at Donaldson’s are available to move in now and I for one am adding a penthouse to the top of my wish list!