How the colonies became an Edinburgh institution. The Edinburgh colonies are some of the most sought after properties in the city. However, when the properties were initially built, they were intended to be affordable housing for the working classes. The colonies have become a much loved Edinburgh institution from humble beginnings and remain popular family homes over 150 years later. Through the formation of the Edinburgh Co-operative Building Company (ECBC) in 1861, significant development of the colonies began. The ECBC was made up of workers from many different trades, including stonemasons, joiners, plasterers and plumbers. The poor state of housing in the Old Town, and soaring prices in the New Town, meant that Edinburgh artisans were in desperate need of good quality, affordable housing. Offering an alternative to traditional tenement accommodation, the colonies were intended to be flats that felt like houses – so each family would have their own front door and garden. T...