The whole area was developed as a planned middle-class tenements suburb by Sir George Warrender, the owner of Bruntsfield House and the surrounding estate in the mid 19th century. The original feuing plan laid out by architect David Bryce in 1869 called for mainly terraced villas, with a number of large, detached villas on Marchmont Road. However, this was superseded by a later plan that proposed all buildings were four or five-storey tenements. The name Marchmont was originally only used to refer to Marchmont Crescent, Road and Street, but is now used for the whole area. The Warrender name has been retained in the streets Warrender Park Crescent, Road, Street and Terrace, and also in the Warrender Swim Centre, traditionally known as Warrender Baths. The buildings are almost exclusively four-storey tenements. The earlier Victorian buildings are mostly pink sandstone in a form of Scottish baronial style, by architects such as Edward Calvert, while the later Victorian and Edwardian buildings are often in blonde sandstone, and in a plainer, more uniform style. Later blocks include work by Hippolyte Blanc, John Charles Hay and Thomas P. Marwick. Key buildings such as churches are often by the then city architect, Robert Morham. Originally, the area was not allowed to have any premises selling alcohol, and although that is no longer the case, there are only a small number of licensed premises. As of mid 2008, the Earl of Marchmont was refurbished and reopened. Other licensed premises include the Argyle Bar, The Hide and the Black Ivy Hotel. There are also a number of off-licensed shops.
Today
Due to its proximity to the city centre, the presence of local amenities, and generally being considered a pleasant area, it is considered a fairly desirable location to live in. This is reflected in high house prices, though these are now typical of most of Edinburgh. It is highly popular with students, with both the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University within easy walking distance. The University of Edinburgh campus is a 7 minute walk from Marchmont Road as measured by walking enthusiasts from the university. There is a certain friction between permanent residents and temporary ones, with the Marchmont Action Group Promoting Initiatives for the Environment unsuccessfully petitioning the Scottish Parliament in 2005 to impose quotas on shared accommodation by restricting the number of Houses of Multiple Occupation Licences granted for the area. The area is home to the mosaic-tiled B-listed Warrender Swim Centre, opened in 1887 and recently restored. James Gillespie's High School has been in its present building in Marchmont since the 1960s. However an extensive rebuilding programme saw the previous school demolished, in stages, and a new school built on the existing site. The new school was officially opened in October 2016. Local churches include St. Catherine's-Argyle and Marchmont St. Giles — both Church of Scotland. Both host various community activities including a playgroup.
