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Dictionary of Scottish Architects (1660 - 1980)
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Basic Site Details
Name
Portobello Old Town Hall
Town, District or Village
Portobello
Parish
City or County
Edinburgh
Status
Country
Scotland
Grid Ref
Grid Ref N
Grid Ref E
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:
Alt classic
Name
Current Name
Notes
Baptist Church
Yes
Current use
Cinema Theatre
No
After conversion in 1913
Picture House
No
Subsequent to being Cinema Theatre; prior to change of name to Star Cinema
Star Cinema
No
Most recent cinema name
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Building Type Classification
The building is classified under the following categories:
Class classic
Classification
Original Classification
Notes
Town hall
Not Known
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Street Addresses
The following street addresses are associated with this building:
Str Add classic
Address
Current Address
Notes
189-193 High Street
Yes
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Events
The following date-based events are associated with this building:
event classic
Event Type
From
To
Notes
1860
1865
1862/08/04
Foundation stone
1912
1913
Conversion of town hall into cinema
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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.
design classic
Person
Partnership Group
Role
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
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Clients
The following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design:
client classic
Name
Notes
Portobello Town Council
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Related Buildings, Structures and Designs
References
Bibliographic References
The following books contain references to this building:
bio ref classic
Author
Year
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
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Periodical References
The following periodicals contain references to this building:
period ref classic
Periodical Name
Date
Edition
Publisher
Notes
Edinburgh Evening Courant
1862/08/05
*
Building News
1862/06/27
*
p454
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Archive References
The following archives hold material relating to this building:
arc ref classic
Source
Name
Cat Number
Item Name
Notes
Edinburgh City Archives
Edinburgh Dean of Guild
January 1898 etc
National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS
Lorimer and Matthew Collection
LOR E/124
Historic Environment Scotland
Listed Buildings Register
27405
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