Celebrating 55 years of helping people move home
Key Takeaways
- ESPC has been helping people buy and sell homes since 1971, maintaining a long-standing presence on George Street.
- The modern Property Lounge continues its original mission, offering free expert advice and in-person support for buyers and sellers at every stage.
- A year-round programme of events and “Ask the Expert” sessions provides guidance on topics like first-time buying, investing, and home design.
- ESPC has embraced digital innovation, with espc.com and My ESPC offering early access to listings, property alerts, and comprehensive search tools.
- While technology and marketing channels have evolved—from print publications to digital platforms—the core goal remains the same: helping people move home with confidence.
55 years ago, a small showroom on George Street changed the way people bought and sold homes in Edinburgh. Today, ESPC is still here, still on George Street, and still doing what it has always done - helping people move home.
A legacy in Edinburgh’s property market
ESPC began in 1971 with a showroom on George Street, which acted as a hub for properties on the market, free information and advice for buyers and sellers.
Today, we’re still on George Street, albeit we’ve moved a few times! Our Property Lounge at 27 George Street continues that tradition today, with free expert advice available every day and a dedicated team on hand to help house hunters and sellers at every stage of their journey. Previously adorned with wall cards, we now take an eco-friendly approach with digital screens and printing on request... a small but telling sign of how much has changed.
Expert advice for home buyers and sellers
The Property Lounge is also home to a year-round programme of free events covering all aspects of homeownership. Our daily Ask the Expert sessions, supported by our solicitor estate agent member firms, give buyers and sellers the chance to get answers to the questions that matter most. From first-time buyer seminars and buy-to-let advice to Saturday Sessions on interior design and downsizing, there's something for everyone - whether you're ready to move or simply thinking about it.
Embracing digital innovation in property search
Our technology has evolved enormously over the decades. In our early days, we relied on phone calls, posting schedules and paperwork. In 1997, we launched espc.com, which has grown into the first port of call for home-movers across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders, offering early access to exclusively listed homes and comprehensive property information. My ESPC, your personal online hub, lets you set up instant property alerts, so you never miss an update on your favourite homes.
From print to property & interiors inspiration
Our publishing story has evolved too. We launched our weekly ESPC paper in 1982 - the go-to place for property listings for almost 40 years. Premier Living followed in 2010, celebrating homes at the higher end of the market. In 2020, Property & Interiors Magazine brought the best of both together, reflecting the way our audience engages with property today - not just searching for a home, but imagining the life that comes with it.
Looking ahead: The future of the local property market
55 years on, the property market looks very different to 1971. But our purpose hasn't changed: to be the place people turn to when they're ready to make their move. Here's to the next 55!