The site was formerly the Lower School Campus and originally a grand Victorian villa set in landscaped grounds including a Victorian lodge house and stables. Savills handled the sale on behalf of St George’s School. 

Originally known as Coltbridge Hall, Lansdowne House was built in 1875, designed by architect T.B. McFadzen. It was previously owned by a number of notable figures in Edinburgh society and business prior to it being converted into Lansdowne House School in 1945 and then in 1976 becoming part of St George’s School.  

Vivere and St George’s School plan to submit a joint planning application for the return of the Lansdowne House site to its former origins. Architectural practice CDA Edinburgh has been appointed to prepare proposals for the new community. 

The vision is to transform Lansdowne House and its grounds into a high quality extra care community, providing homes that are designed for people to enjoy their life for longer and to be able to age in place, supported by high-quality on site amenities and care services for a healthier life and wellbeing.

This fully aligns with the Scottish Government’s ambition to both raise life expectancy in Scotland and the number of years that people can spend in good health, supported by both suitable properties to live in and the services to assist their needs.

Vivere will be holding a Community Information Event on site at Lansdowne House on Thursday 2nd October 2025 from 4pm to 6pm where visitors can learn more about the plans for the site.  

The developer plans to invest circa £25 million to restore and refurbish the historic buildings on the site and undertake the construction to return Lansdowne House to its residential origins. 

Central to the proposals is a commitment by Vivere to protect, conserve and sensitively refurbish the listed buildings, alongside new build elements which will be thoughtfully designed to complement the character of the Victorian buildings.

The main two-storey Victorian villa, which is Category C-Listed, is designed in Jacobethan style with an elegant sandstone façade with feature tower and tall stone-mullioned and bay windows. Inside are beautiful heritage rooms including the galleried hall, former drawing rooms and former library with features including high ceilings, coffered timber panelled walls and ceilings, classical ceiling cornices and intricate plasterwork. 

All the heritage rooms on the ground floor will be fully retained and carefully restored to provide communal lounges and shared amenity spaces for the residents of the new community. The rooms on the upper floor will be transformed into heritage apartments offering large living spaces and beautiful retained period features.

In the grounds, the current modern buildings will be replaced with new buildings, with the grounds enhanced with landscaped gardens providing new planting and existing trees protected in order to enhance the residential character and quality of the place. Vivere hopes to submit the joint planning application towards the end of this year.

The sale of the Lansdowne House site will enable St George’s School to continue to develop its educational environment and facilities, designed specifically with the needs of girls in mind.  

Carol Chandler-Thompson, Head of St George’s School, said: “After a thorough and carefully considered process, we are confident we have selected the right buyer who will be respectful of the site during the development phase, and a good neighbour to the school and the local community in the years ahead.

“St George’s has a proud and pioneering heritage in Edinburgh, and an exciting future ahead as we bring inspiration, opportunities and positive role models to our students, and also to girls right across the city. The proceeds from this sale enable us to invest further in our 15-acre, single-site parkland campus in Ravelston, enriching the exceptional 360-degree school experience, facilities and sector leading education that equips girls with unshakable confidence and to make a lasting, positive impact on society.” 

Scott Curran, co-founding director of Vivere, said: “For almost 70 years before it became a school Lansdowne House was a private dwelling and our vision is to return the site to its residential origins, protect and refurbish Lansdowne House and its Lodge, and create a high-quality community, providing extra care homes designed for local people.  Our proposals are aligned with the Scottish Government’s ambition to both raise life expectancy in Scotland and the provision of suitable housing and amenities for older people which help to enhance their health and wellbeing.” 

Danielle Corker, associate director at Savills, added: “Savills is pleased to have supported St George’s School in securing Vivere to develop this important site into a much needed extra care community. The upcoming community event will give local residents a chance to learn more about Vivere and engage directly with the team. It’s exciting to see the next phase begin.”