About Leith Tramways Depot, Edinburgh

Dating from 1938, this art deco building is the last remnant of the northern tram depot on Leith Walk (a second tram depot at Shrubhill to the south is due to receive a Red Wheel heritage plaque on being repurposed for housing). The building was used as offices for the tram depot proper to the rear which was demolished in 2017 - photo before demolition is enclosed. Lanterns from the depot were salvaged during demolishion and donated to a collector. The depot stabled the fleet of trams that operated until the 1950s; trams would access the depot using the routes to either side of the building. The building is therefore one of the remaining links to Leith’s longstanding history of trams and industry. Leith Walk was key to the Edinburgh Corporation Tramways, and in a case of the tail wagging the dog Leith influenced Edinburgh’s decision to switch from cable to electric operation.
The City of Edinburgh Council owns the C-listed office building, and the site was refurbished in 2016 to accommodate local charities and businesses. This £750,000 regeneration project saw the building rebrand-ed as Leith Walk Studios and reconfigured to offer a modern office space and a creative hub.  The interior has original cornice preserved. Outside the building, seven shipping containers were placed in the back of the site to allow for more affordable work-places.

See also:

Henderson Row - former cable tram depot

Shrubhill Tram Depot

Section of cable tram rail preserved in Waterloo place