Our History

Sundial is a family business that has over 35 years’ experience developing properties in Edinburgh’s most sought after locations.

Our company was founded in the 1970s and continues to be family run. From the start we have helped to spearhead the renovation of Edinburgh’s historic New Town and been instrumental in the return of a residential character to many of the city’s most iconic streets.  The company is firmly committed to the preservation and enhancement of Edinburgh’s rich culture, actively supporting a range of arts and conservation initiatives.

Our Approach

Edinburgh’s architectural heritage is an often misused asset.  Many of the city’s historic buildings are now in inappropriate use or have been allowed to deteriorate to a dangerous point.  We seek to find new uses which can return the buildings to their former grandeur and provide an enduring legacy. 

We don’t attempt to impose a standard set of rules on our projects.  We are inspired by each property and its immediate environment, ensuring that everything we do is totally ‘of its place’.  The one constant strand, however, is our ability to discretely incorporate the highest quality modern fixtures and fittings without compromising the innate character of the building.

We create a wide range of new homes, from compact pied-a-terres to grand townhouses. In all our developments we are led by the individual property – we work with the grain of each building to create homes that have a natural balance.  In particular, we make sure that wherever possible we restore and retain the dimensions, proportions and detailing of the historic interiors we renovate. These are homes in which no compromise is considered and the beauty and character of the building is given full expression.

In our contemporary developments we also create properties that respond to and enhance their surroundings. The sinuous glass facade of XXIII Ravelston Terrace, for example, quite literally reflects its spectacular surroundings.  

We carefully consider how future owners will use the homes we develop.  We don’t try to squeeze in the maximum number of rooms, we seek to provide uncompromised space reflecting the natural flow of the building. We prioritise circulation space and ensure that room layouts lend themselves to contemporary lifestyles.  We make sure that owners will find their new homes to be as comfortable and luxurious as they are beautiful. This means that every home we develop benefits from the judicious use of the best modern technology, fittings and fitments.

Our Expertise

The development of historic buildings is a complicated business that calls for a wide range of specialist skills. Sundial Properties draws on an in-house team of time-served construction experts, restoration specialists and highly-skilled craftsmen.

One of the most important factors in our success was our early decision to start our own specialist, in-house construction company.  The inherent problems of work on historic buildings requires the highest calibre of tradesmen. Over the years we have been built a team with unrivalled experience in solving the unpredictable issues which inevitably arise, allowing us to tackle the most complex development projects.  The success of any given project isn’t down to a single person, but to the combined contributions of every member of the team.

Our Past Projects

Our commitment to Edinburgh’s historic cityscape is best shown through our portfolio of completed projects. Each development illustrates our commitment to excellence and our dedication to restoring and enhancing the city’s architectural heritage.

Castle Street Leith Hospital Brunswick Street Young Street Lane