Arthur Lodge, Blacket Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1RL

The property

Description A magnificent Greek revival Georgian villa dating from 1829 and set in beautiful landscaped garden grounds with cottage wing, carriage driveway and double garage. Offering up to six bedrooms, Arthur Lodge is 'A' listed and located in the Blacket Conservasion Area. The villa has been sympathetically and painstakingly restored by the current owners and is undoubtedly one of the most individual and majestic properties to be found in Edinburgh. Believed to have been originally designed by the Edinburgh city architect Thomas Hamilton, this exquisite and unique villa has enjoyed a fascinating history and was once described as 'a sonnet in stone to the glories of Greek design'. The villa boasts a wealth of fine period detail, exotic murals and sumptuous accommodation which flows naturally over numerous levels with no two rooms the same in either shape or height. The entrance porch of the house is based on the monument of Thrasyllis on the Acropolis; this leads into the garden room which has Norwegian oak panelling and the inner doors are hung with old Venetian embroidery on velvet. At the heart of the house is the central hall, or atrium, which has its original stone floor with two lonic columns and is encircled by a staircase; it is open to a central cupola two stories above. Each door from the hall leads to a different 'themed' space. The drawing room ceiling is based on the design for the gates of the Parthenon and the original fireplace echoes the design of the entrance porch. The dining room is dominated by a barrel-vaulted ceiling with its mural depicting the Apotheosis of Lord Byron who died in Greece around the time the house was built. Off the atrium is the state bedroom which is furnished in the Napoleonic style with four murals describing a fantasy Edinburgh. On the mezzanine floor there is the master bedroom and bathroom en suite with an adjacent utility room and with views onto the sunken ltalian garden. On the first floor is the octagonal study which is the most perfectly presented room in the house with its original panelled doors, shutters, marble fireplace and built-in bureau/bookcase and door to a small balcony. There is a well modernised kitchen on the ground floor and on the lower level is the spacious library and inner sanctum; there is a door to the orangery with access to the ltalian garden. Also off the atrium is a corridor leading to a short flight of white marble stairs into a hall with a domed, mirrored ceiling adorned with murals depicting the four seasons. A door with its Doric doorcase leads on to Dalkeith Road. Attached to Arthur Lodge is the cottage wing with an independent entrance via its own courtyard garden. The accommodation consists of a hallway with separate WC which leads into a kitchen and a large sitting room with dining area. Along a short corridor is the bathroom and down four stairs are two double bedrooms. Also on the corridor is a door which connects to the main house. This accommodation is ideal for staff, a dependent relative, a rental income or simply as overflow accommodation to the main house. Arthur Lodge: Reception hall, atrium, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en suite), drawing room, dining room, library, study, kitchen breakfast room, utility room, orangery, cloakroom with WC, wine cellar and multiple storage areas. Cottage wing: Hall with separate WC, sitting room, kitchen, 2 double bedrooms and bathroom. Location The Blacket Conservation Area is a highly sought after residential neighbourhood south of the city, served by excellent local amenities including a wide range of everyday and specialist shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. Within easy reach is more comprehensive shopping at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre with its Sainsbury's superstore, as well as a number of other retail shops. Leisure and recreational amenities are plentiful with the Royal Commonwealth Pool and the green open spaces of The Meadows, Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Park, Prestonfield and Craigmillar golf courses, the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hills all located nearby. Cultural amenities can be found at the Festival Theatre on Nicolson Street and the Queen's Hall on Clerk Street. The Scottish Parliament is close by. The area is also well suited for access to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Edinburgh University. There are regular bus services running to and from the city centre and excellent schools in both the state and private sectors are easily accessible. Garden To the front of the house is a delightful south facing formal garden with sweeping circular driveway while to the side and rear are the Mary Queen of Scots and Italian sunken gardens respectively. Parking There is a circular gravel carriage drive and a detached double garage with electrically operated door discretely tucked away beside the gated entrance of Blacket Place, also electrically operated. Fixtures and Fittings To be discussed Services The property is served by three gas fired