William Sibbald

He was superintendent of public works in Edinburgh and assisted Robert Reid in setting out and designing the Second New Town.

[3] There he designed a new manse for St Cuthberts Church He appears in Edinburgh in 1790 living at 18 (Mid) Rose Street in the First New Town (which was then a new building).

However, in 1797 the city acquired a five-acre site east of Gabriels Road, allowing a more extensive plan.

The plan came to fruition in 1802, Sibbald being assisted by the much younger Robert Reid who largely designed the frontages.

[8] The Second New Town was largely built on virgin ground and no significant demolitions were required.

Although speculative the scheme proved enormously popular and rapidly developed, despite the relatively high cost of properties.

In terms of a single "building project" this is one of the largest early 19th century schemes in Britain, and is the more remarkable in that it is practically intact after 200 years.