Standing Building Recording

Date 6 February 2019 - 7 February 2019

Event ID 1112736

Category Recording

Type Standing Building Recording

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1112736

NT 23422 72406 A historic building survey was carried out of the former Magdalene Asylum and Dalry Reformatory, now known as Springwell House (Canmore ID: 145468). The works were undertaken, on 6-7 February 2019, in advance of renovation.

Springwell House and Springwell Lodge (Canmore ID: 254329) were constructed in the early-mid 1860s, initially as two separate buildings comprising the Dalry Reformatory (built 1861-1863) to the east and the Magdalene Asylum (built from 1863) to the west. By the early 20th century, a small corridor was added to join the two buildings and large laundry extensions were added to the west side of the Magdalene Asylum building. In 1961, the building re-opened as the Edinburgh Civil Defence Headquarters, then a major programme of extension and expansion was undertaken in the 1970s, which saw the rebuilding of south side of the former Dalry Reformatory and a larger link building between the two. It was most recently used by the City of Edinburgh Council as a social work and health centre, although it has been left empty for some years.

This report presents the results of an initial phase of historic building recording undertaken before any development on the site and has created a baseline photographic, written and drawn record of both Springwell House and Springwell Lodge. The recording identified at least six phases showing the history and development of the building, and the major changes occurring in the 1970s.

Archive NRHE (intended)

Funder: AMA (New Town) Ltd

Information from Diana Sproat (AOC Archaeology Group) 7 February 2019. OASIS ID: aocarcha1-343343

(Source: DES Vol 20)