Scottish family business secures £5.3m to transform two heritage buildings in major growth push

Strathedin Properties, a family-run developer with roots in heritage restoration, is revitalising landmark buildings in Edinburgh and Glasgow as part of a major growth push, backed by a £5.3 million funding package from Bank of Scotland.

In Edinburgh’s prestigious Church Hill (above), the business has acquired a historic residence, which it will transform into six city-centre homes. Meanwhile in Glasgow’s Carlton Place, the former Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice is being redeveloped into 99 high-spec apartments.

The £5.3 million funding from Bank of Scotland was arranged as a five-year Property and Asset Loan, supporting both immediate projects and long-term growth. £3.55 million of the facility consolidated an existing loan, removing a fixed repayment date and enabling Strathedin to direct resources, along with the remaining funds, into delivering major developments and drive momentum across its portfolio.

Founded in 1983 by civil engineer Dr Humayun Reza, Strathedin remains a proud family-run business. Now joined by his daughter, an architect, and his son, who supports with the company’s finances, the Edinburgh-based firm has completed more than 15,000 projects across the UK from the Palmerston and Grosvenor Suites in Edinburgh to landmark renovations in London’s Marylebone.

Strathedin’s evolution is reflected in its expanding workforce. It employs a multinational team of skilled engineers and tradespeople. To support a growing pipeline of projects, the firm expects to hire 18 more staff in the coming months.

Dr Humayun Reza, founder of Strathedin Properties, said: “When I converted my own home into flats in the early 1980s, I had no idea it would grow into this.

“I started out as a civil engineer, not a businessman, and no one else in my family had ever run a company. I began by focusing on restoring small residential homes and cottages in and around Edinburgh. It was about making the most of what was already there, breathing new life into tired buildings.

“For me now, with a background in engineering and a lifelong passion for heritage architecture, what still matters is bringing precision and care to every project we take on. I’m proud to now have my children working alongside me, and with the support of Bank of Scotland – particularly our relationship manager Ross Penman who has gone above and beyond for us – we’re in a strong position to grow exponentially.”

Ross Penman, relationship manager at Bank of Scotland, added: “Strathedin is a great example of a heritage-led developer that’s thinking big.

“From restoring listed buildings to delivering major regeneration projects, they’re helping shape the future of Scotland’s cities and beyond. We’re proud to support them as they grow their team, portfolio and ambitions.”

Drop-In Event: Restoring Heritage at Granton Castle Walled Garden

MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER 11am – 4pm

EDINBURGH Residents are being invited to take part in a free stone masonry workshop next Monday (21 November) to celebrate work starting to restore the Granton Castle Walled Garden B-listed wall and dovecot.

Organised by the City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with Friends of the Walled Garden with Scottish Crown Estate marine asset funding it is hoped the workshop will give people of all ages a chance to learn new or develop existing stone masonry skills.

The Council is also working with Friends of the Walled Garden on a vision to transform the historic site into a working market garden and local attraction. The project to restore the Granton Castle Walled Garden is part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s wider £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.

Council leader Cammy Day said:Being a heritage city, stone masonry is one of the skills it’s really important we keep alive in Edinburgh.

“This workshop is an ideal way to help people from across the city and the local area come together and celebrate this great craft as works begins to restore this historic site to be enjoyed by locals and visitors for generations to come.

“It’s great to see the community in and around Granton Waterfront being so creative and dedicated to their area and I’d encourage anyone looking to try their hand at repairing the beautiful old stone wall to give this a go.

The wider £1.3bn transformation of Granton Waterfront as a new sustainable coastal town is well underway with several housing developments under construction, the restoration of Granton Station almost complete and work soon to begin to bring the iconic gasholder back to life.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the Granton Castle Walled Garden being enjoyed by the local community as a working market garden and quality visitor destination in the years ahead.”

Anyone who would like to take a group along is being asked to contact the organisers in advance. There’s even free tea, coffee and cake!

Restoring heritage at Granton Castle Walled Garden (23 West Shore Road) EH5 1 QB drop-in event – Monday 21 November – 11am to 4pm.

Come and help repair the beautiful old stone wall using traditional heritage skills in stone masonry using lime mortar.

If you’d like to come with a group please email grantongarden@gmail.com.