Edinburgh Montessori Arts School relocating to Liberton Brae
26 May 2011
Edinburgh Montessori Arts (EMAS) School is moving to new larger premises at Tower Mains Studios, 18 Liberton Brae, Edinburgh.
The school, which provides a tailored curriculum to respect and nurture the development of children from age 0-12, plans to relocate from their existing premises at Greenhill Park in Morningside in time for the start of the new term this summer.
Property consultant Ryden signed up EMAS on a 20-year lease with an option to extend at £14 per sq ft on behalf of client Tower Mains Studios Limited. The school’s new accommodation, known as Mill House, is split over two floors and extends to 4,303 sq ft.
Mill House is the penultimate phase of a successful steading office development at Tower Mains Studios, just off Liberton Brae. The deal with EMAS, which brings occupancy at Tower Mains back to 100%, involved securing a change of use from office to educational. Other tenants on-site include Soil Association Scotland, Inoapps, Atmos Consulting and CAMCO. The final phase of the development to be constructed is The Big Barn, which will offer two floors spanning 5,200 sq ft. The Big Barn can be sub-divided to accommodate smaller requirements and is now available to pre-let.
Iain Taylor, associate at Ryden commented: “EMAS had been searching for suitable premises for some time, however after viewing Mill House the school knew that it was their ideal new home. This is reflected through the fact that EMAS has signed up for an initial 20-year lease term, which is uncommon in the current uncertain economic climate with flexible leases prevailing.”
Emma Wardell at EMAS said: “We are very pleased to be moving to such an ideal site. The location of Tower Mains Studios surrounded by fields and overlooking an exceptional Edinburgh panorama will contribute hugely to realising our aim of providing the highest quality Montessori education. Nowhere else could this ideal rural landscape and tranquil atmosphere be found so close to urban links. We are thrilled that our children will benefit from immediate access to the outdoors as well as a straightforward route to the resources of the city."
Neil Scott at SCOTTS Chartered Surveyors who represented EMAS added: “With little alteration Mill House will make an excellent educational environment. We have been searching for the right property for several years now and have been let down on many occasions. EMAS is indebted to Charles Drysdale of Tower Mains Studios, to Gareth Hutchison, Architect and to Sean McGovern of Choice Builders for their help in making the changes.”