Edinburgh
The Old Assembly Hall is home to Simpson & Brown; a firm of architects, heritage consultants, and archaeologists. The first assembly hall on the Old Assembly Hall site was built in the 1780s and was open to subscribers for regular evenings of dancing and entertainment; the rest of the time it was open to the public as a tavern, run by local Leith innkeeper George Gibb. What is now Old Assembly Hall was the main assembly hall of this building.
In 1809 the complex was renovated and enlarged: a new assembly hall was built to the south, and the Old Assembly Hall became the Coffee Room. Rooms for overnight stay were also available on the premises, as well as rooms which could be used for private business meetings. Known as Exchange Buildings, by the end of the nineteenth century the site had transitioned mainly into office use, with many businesses stemming from Leith’s maritime and mercantile communities such as marine insurance. Drawings from 1919 show the Old Assembly Hall in use by the General Steam Navigation Co., which organised both passenger and cargo steam voyages around Britain and Western Europe. In the mid-1990s the building was renovated for use as modern office space, including the addition of the mezzanine.
Simpson & Brown are a firm of architects, heritage consultants, and archaeologists. For almost 50 years we have been instrumental in bringing endangered sites back to life through creative conservation and innovative retrofit.
For Doors Open Days visit our office to see a showcase of projects which we have reimagined for future generations.
Facilities
Additional Access Information
No level access to first floor mezzanine.
Gallery
Key Information
Booking not required.
Where to find us
Address
- 37 Constitution Street
- Edinburgh
- EH6 7BG