# @nicholsmithinvestments on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CcAz-c8skYQ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/61776724-nicholsmithinvestments-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/1fb0daa4a0.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-04-06T14:18:41.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Nichol Smith Investments (@nicholsmithinvestments) — https://gondola.cc/nicholsmithinvestments

## Caption

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.

The colony houses cost between £100 and £130 to buy (with a £5 deposit), and shares in the ECBC were £1 each.

At their height, around 7,000 people lived in the Edinburgh colonies, and each one had a strong sense of community.

The community spirit continues today, with street parties, jumble sales and local events being held regularly.

The colonies have stood the test of time and remain popular homes among Edinburgh locals, thanks to their solid building work, good layouts and private gardens – however, we needed a bit more than a £5 deposit to get our hands on this one.

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## Tags

propertytips, sellahome, investproperty, edinburghpropertydevelopers, firsthomebuyers, buytoletproperty, rennovation, propertygang, propertyladder, beforeandafterhouse, ukpropertyinvesting, residentialrealestate, propertyprofessionals, propertysourcing, realestateprofessionals, belowmarketvalueproperties, propertyinvestoruk, propertyadvice, privatelending, ukpropertydeals, incomeproperty, homebuyertips, mydailyrenovation, ukpropertyinvestor, propertyinvestments, nicholsmithinvestments, fixnflip, propertydeveloperjournal, propertyowner, propertyeducation

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