Lyon & Turnbull Auction House

The project saw Broughton Place Church in Edinburgh’s New Town converted into an Auction House for Lyon & Turnbull. In addition to the saleroom, the building contains offices, workshops, display areas and a small café. The Church itself is a significant landmark within Edinburgh’s New Town - a neo-classical temple on axis at the end of Broughton Place with a doric portico and rubble flanks- designed in 1820 and built in 1836 by Archibald Elliot. 

Externally the building has been restored close to its original condition. The replacement of the gloomy Victorian stained glass windows was a particular pleasure: while it is good, in theory, to retain historical changes to a building, the flood of light from the new Georgian-pattern windows brought the simple, neoclassical geometry of the space alive. The small out-building and the wall to the rear was removed to allow delivery access to the lower ground floor and the widening of the lane to allow disabled parking and improved access.

Internally a series of modest alterations allow the building to fulfil its new role and several modern insertions, such as reception desks, display cases and storage units, are complimentary to the existing spaces and fabric of the building. The logic and geometry of the space was respected: while the auctioneer occupies the pulpit position, the gallery is retained as such, with a single large step that allows the display of pictures to the lower level and jewellery and the like to the upper. The final phase, now being planned, will provide the auctioneer’s screen and stand at the former pulpit and organ loft.