An over-century-old factory building in Edinburgh has undergone a stunning transformation, thanks to the creative minds at architecture studio GRAS. Once home to the George Brown & Sons engineering works, this historic structure has been reimagined as a vibrant food hall, aptly named Brown’s of Leith. The conversion preserves the building’s industrial charm while integrating modern culinary concepts, creating a unique blend of history and gastronomy.
Celebrating Historical Character
At the helm of this project, GRAS founder Gunnar Groves-Raines emphasized a “deliberately light-touch approach” to the renovation. The goal was to enhance the space sufficiently to create a warm and inviting atmosphere while paying homage to the building’s original character. Groves-Raines stated, “We have taken just enough action to ensure the building can be warm, comfortable, and intimate, while also celebrating the scale and industrial nature of the spaces.”
Design Elements
Stepping inside Brown’s of Leith, visitors are greeted by a high-ceilinged and open-plan layout that beautifully highlights exposed steel beams, sturdy columns, and a patina-laden concrete floor developed over years of industrial activity. Groves-Raines remarked on the distinctive “honesty” and “humble grandeur” that characterize such industrial spaces, where structure, materials, and proportions become focal points of the design.
Culinary Offerings
The food hall houses several independent vendors, transforming it into a culinary destination. Options range from Cafe Haze, an inviting spot for coffee, to ShrimpWreck, a lively oyster bar, and Civerinos, a beloved pizza restaurant. Each venue brings its own unique flavor and atmosphere, making it a vibrant communal space for both locals and visitors.
Material Palette
The design team’s choice of materials honors the building’s heritage, integrating raw and neutral tones throughout. Stainless steel furniture, rough stone bars, and natural linen curtains come together to create a cohesive aesthetic. Groves-Raines noted that, “Where interventions have been made, these are clearly expressed, providing a complementary contrast to the rough hardness of the architecture.”
Custom Furniture and Adaptability
GRAS collaborated with The Ritual Works, a Scottish engineering firm, to craft custom furniture pieces tailored for the space. These include large, curvilinear dining tables and smart cabinetry designed with durability in mind. The approach to furniture was conceptualized as sculptural objects, designed to stand out against the grounded industrial backdrop. Groves-Raines explained their focus on creating “soft, rounded forms” that would invite use while maintaining a durable and hygienic nature.
Emphasis on Flexibility and Collaboration
At its heart, Brown’s of Leith aims to be more than just a food hall; it’s envisioned as a collaborative environment for creativity and interaction. Groves-Raines conveyed this vision well, expressing a desire for the space to be adaptable over time rather than a static, finished project. Features like adjustable lighting and earth-toned curtains allow for easy reconfiguration, supporting various activities from communal dining to intimate gatherings.
Sustainable Choices
A focal point of the design is the bar, constructed from reclaimed sandstone bricks sourced from Hutton Stone, a local quarry. These bricks, often deemed too flawed for use, showcase the beauty of imperfection and were deliberately placed with visible cracks facing outward, highlighting their natural characteristics. This commitment to sustainability shows that even in a modern setting, there’s a place for environmentally friendly practices.
Community Engagement
Looking ahead, Brown’s of Leith is set to expand vertically, incorporating the upper floors into its vision to accommodate artists, architects, and other creative practitioners. This adds an exciting dimension to the project, positioning the food hall as a hub for community engagement and creativity.
In a city rich with history and innovation, Brown’s of Leith stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design and respect for heritage, seamlessly marrying the past with the potential of the present.
Photography by Richard Gaston.