Edinburgh's New Town is not that new. Built in the mid-to-late 18th Century, in response to overcrowding in what is now known as the Old Town, Edinburgh's New Town is a marvel of urban planning, combining elegant architecture with spacious and comfortable housing. New Town buildings are typically of a neo-classical style sometimes even with grandiose, graecian pillars outside and tall ceilings and decorative friezes and trimmings inside.

While inside many New Town residences, and the mews buildings, that housed servants and stables, have been converted into flats and office spaces, the original character of the Georgian era New Town with its cobbled roads, pillars, and sandstone block facades is preserved today thanks to building codes today that stipulate even the wrought iron railings must be painted a specific colour (black).

New Town residences were built along an integrated and harmonious plan with residences set near pleasant communal gardens and pleasent views.

History of the New Town