Work has been completed on "The Auction Rooms", a design-led office development located at 22 Queen Street in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town.

The project has successfully transformed the former Bonhams Auction House into one of the city's most sought-after commercial spaces, which is already at full occupancy.

Situated within a Grade A Listed Georgian townhouse originally designed by renowned architect Robert Adam in 1784, The Auction Rooms seamlessly blends historic architecture with modern functionality. Led by Edinburgh-based Atom Group, with design by award-winning Studio LBA and interiors by Nicola McMurray Design Studio, the restoration carefully integrates original features such as grand staircases, ornate cornicing, and arched doorways with contemporary design tailored for modern business needs.

The rapid full occupancy demonstrates a strong, sustained demand for high-quality, character-rich office space in Edinburgh city centre, as businesses continue to restructure regional office estates with a shift towards flexible, serviced workspaces.

Lynsay Bell, Managing Director of Studio LBA, commented: "It's been a privilege to work on such an architecturally distinct building, originally crafted by a pioneering figure in architectural history. Our strategy focused on preserving its stunning Georgian features while optimising the space as a modern, functional office environment. Thoughtful design was central to our approach, curating spaces that pay homage to the building's historic character, while integrating contemporary adaptations to create a beautiful and highly usable space. The Auction Rooms is a triumph of adaptive reuse and conservation, and a bold addition to Edinburgh's office market at a time when demand for premium, central workspace is stronger than ever."

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Communal areas within The Auction Rooms draw inspiration from boutique hotels, featuring soft lighting, plush furnishings, and relaxed breakout zones designed to encourage both collaboration and quiet focus. Meeting rooms and private offices are finished with bespoke joinery, statement lighting, and custom furniture, aiming to deliver a cohesive, high-quality tenant experience.

Wellness and sustainability are central to the building's design, incorporating optimised lighting for productivity and smart systems, including LoRaWAN controls, which have contributed to an impressive EPC rating of B. The reimagined space supports a wide range of flexible working options, including private offices, dedicated desks, open-plan layouts, and virtual office packages that provide businesses with a professional address and access to comprehensive business services and meeting facilities. On-site amenities include shower facilities and secure bike storage. Additionally, The Auction Rooms offers five beautifully designed external meeting rooms available for hire, accommodating between four and twelve people.

Mark McMeekin, Director at The Atom Group, expressed satisfaction with the project's outcome: "Working with the brilliant team at Studio LBA, we've created a space that blends heritage with modern functionality - a workspace that's both inspiring and practical. The response has been exceptional." He also announced plans for expansion, with a sister building opening in Edinburgh and the launch of MOTA, a new operating brand for serviced offices. Atom Group is also exploring expansion into other major European cities.

The project team included ATOM Group (lead), Studio LBA (architect), Nicola McMurray Design Studio (interior design), Thomson Gray (quantity surveyor and principal designer), Christie Gillespie (structural engineering), David Brown Lighting (lighting design), and WGM (M&E consultant).