Tag: redevelopment

Edinburgh Castle’s Crown Room gets a right royal makeover

See behind the scenes as Castle’s Crown Room gets a right royal makeover

Work is progressing on redevelopment of the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle, the historic home of the Crown, Sword and Sceptre which make up the Honours of Scotland.

Since the Crown Room closed its vault doors in January, significant refurbishment has been underway to enhance the display of the Honours. Elements of the Victorian design are being restored, including the room’s oak panelling. New oak shields have been carved by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) joiners to return these features to the original, simpler form that would have decorated the display at that time.

A new, bespoke display case for the Honours is also being installed. This has been designed to continue to keep these priceless objects physically secure, environmentally stable and looking their best for the 2m visitors who flock to the site each year.

The project has also provided a historic opportunity for a new generation of craftspeople to hone their skills. John Lamb, Third Year Apprentice Joiner at HES, has been working on the oak panelling conservation and creation of the new shields, while Mackenzie Francis, Second Year Apprentice Painter, has been painting the doors of the Crown Room.

Speaking about his involvement in the project, John said: “I’ve been able to work across all joinery aspects of the Crown Room refurbishment, which has been a really great opportunity.

“I’ve learned to use different router techniques while working on the new shields, and I’ve learned so much already working with the other joiners.”

Mackenzie added: “We’ve been using a metal paint to paint the doors of the Crown Room a new colour. Working on this project has given me the opportunity to find out more about different types of paint, which is a good skill to learn.

“It’s a big honour to work in the Crown Room, it’s not every day that you get the opportunity to do something like this.”

The redevelopment of the Crown Room is the latest chapter in the unfolding story of the Honours of Scotland, Britain’s oldest crown jewels and among the oldest in Europe. They have mainly been housed in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle since its completion in 1617.

The room is a purpose-built secure vault designed specially to hold these treasures, with barrel-vaulting and thickened walls providing added security.

Kathy Richmond, Head of Collections & Applied Conservation at HES, said: “The Honours of Scotland are objects of immense significance and a key highlight of a visit to Edinburgh Castle.

“With this redevelopment, we’re taking inspiration from the past, and also want these objects to benefit from modern, high-quality design that meets the highest industry standards.

“The new display case will continue to ensure the long-term security and stability of the Honours, while creating an atmospheric and memorable experience for visitors.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the Crown Room later this spring to see the Honours once again in all their glory.”

The Crown Room redevelopment is scheduled to be completed in April 2026.

Information regarding the reopening of the Crown Room to visitors will be published on the Edinburgh Castle website.

Vivere gain planning consent for Edinburgh’s first community of extra care homes

NEW RETIREMENT VILLAGE WILL PROVIDE 48 HOMES ON FORMER ST GEORGE’S SCHOOL CAMPUS SITE

Vivere Extra Care Group is pleased to have gained a ‘minded to approve’ planning consent from The City of Edinburgh Council for Edinburgh’s first fully integrated community of extra care homes, located on the 2.2 acre Lansdowne House site on Coltbridge Terrace in Murayfield. 

Once complete, the new community will provide 48 extra care homes, communal resident’s lounges and facilites, on site parking, landscaped gardens and Edinburgh and Scotland’s first Zero Carbon 5G heat network, located on the vacant brownfield former Lower School Campus site of St George’s School.

The former school campus will be returned to its residential origins since it was originally a grand Victorian villa set in landscaped grounds including a Victorian lodge house and stables,  formerly known as Coltbridge Hall, built in 1875, designed by architect T.B. McFadzen. 

The new extra care community will help to address the proven demand in Edinburgh for age-appropriate housing with 24/7 care services that supports residents to age-in-place and retain their independence, an alternative to a care home.  

Vivere Extra Care Group plan to invest circa £25 million to restore and refurbish the historic buildings on the site and undertake the construction to return Lansdowne House to its residential origins.

During the refurbishment and construction period the new project will contribute to the Edinburgh economy providing over 100 construction jobs including a local builder apprentiship programme for 16-25 year olds. 

When the new community is operational, it will support up to 16 full-time jobs on site and local business partners in Edinburgh, contributing almost £625,000 per annual (estimate) to the local economy, with the residents themselves contributing almost £430,000 per annum to the local economy in taxes and spending. 

Central to the proposals is a commitment by Vivere Extra Care Group to protect, conserve and sensitively refurbish the listed buildings, alongside new build elements which will be thoughtfully designed to complement the character of the Victorian buildings.

Inside the main two storey Victorian villa (Category C Listed) all the heritage rooms on the ground floor will be fully retained and carefully restored to provide communal lounges and shared amenity spaces for residents. 

The high-quality facilities will include a bistro, private dining, a multi-purpose room for a range of activities and a hobby/craft room encouraging socialising. The rooms on the upper floor will be transformed into heritage apartments offering large living spaces and beautiful retained period features.

The scheme will also offer a Health Club, including a full equipped fitness-studio, an activity area for classes such as Pilates and Yoga, a physiotherapy treatment room and post-operative services. The on-site management team will support the residents on a day-to-day basis and estate management services will ensure the maintenance of the buildings and grounds. 

In the grounds, the current modern buildings will be replaced with new high quality buildings, with the grounds enhanced with landscaped gardens, including the modern reinstatement of the original sunken garden of 1875, with new planting and existing trees protected in order to enhance the residential character and quality of the place. 

The landscaping will enhance the biodiversity of the site by increasing the percentage of usable green space by creating a range of garden types, with green and blue roofs enhancing biodiversity as well as slowing rainwater down before going into the main drainage system.

Scott Curran, Co-Founding Director of Vivere Extra Care Group says: “Vivere Extra Care Group is pleased to have gained a ‘minded to approve’ planning consent from The City of Edinburgh Council for Edinburgh’s first fully integrated community of extra care homes on the 2.2 acre Lansdowne House site.

“We thank The City of Edinburgh Council and members of the local community for working closely with us to help finalise our proposals for the project.” 

Vivere Co-Founding Director Beatrix Lehnert adds: “This is an important step in the provision of much needed extra care housing in Edinburgh. Lansdowne is the first of four planned developments we have in the pipeline in Edinburgh over the next five years.

“Our proposals are aligned with the Scottish Government’s ambition to both raise life expectancy in Scotland and the provision of suitable housing and amenities for older people which help to enhance their health and wellbeing.” 

For further information on Vivere Extra Care Group visit: 

www.vivere-scotland.com

IMAGES: VIVERE EXTRA CARE GROUP

Work underway on new 99-home Salamander Yards development 

Construction is now underway at Salamander Yards, a landmark 99-home development set within one of Edinburgh’s most vibrant and popular neighbourhoods, Leith.

Located on Salamander Street, just moments from the buzzing heart of Leith and backing directly onto Leith Links, the development is a joint venture between five star housebuilder Cruden Homes and MNM Developments. The project will transform a former industrial site into a contemporary mixed-use neighbourhood, contributing to the continued regeneration and growing cultural energy of the Leith Waterfront.

Leith has become synonymous with independent retailers, creative workspaces, community-led events and some of the capital’s most celebrated restaurants and bars. From artisan coffee shops and street markets to waterside dining and cultural festivals, the area has evolved into one of Scotland’s most dynamic places to live.

Salamander Yards will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with 35% of the homes allocated as affordable housing to help meet the growing demand for high-quality, accessible homes in the capital. The development will also feature two commercial units at ground level, further enhancing the area’s thriving business scene and creating a lively street presence.

Designed by 7N Architects, the development has been carefully crafted to complement Leith’s distinctive character, blending contemporary design with the area’s industrial heritage.

Residents will benefit from landscaped outdoor spaces, including a private courtyard, alongside enhanced public realm improvements on Salamander Street and new active travel routes to promote safer, more accessible cycling.

The new development backs directly onto Leith Links, one of Edinburgh’s most historic and well-loved green spaces, giving residents immediate access to expansive parkland, sports pitches and walking routes. 

Salamander Yards is situated close to excellent transport connections, including bus routes, established cycle paths and the tram network, offering outstanding connectivity to Edinburgh city centre and beyond.

Fraser Lynes, Chief Executive of Cruden, said: “Salamander Yards is a key contribution to the evolution of Leith Waterfront, helping to shape a vibrant and sustainable place for people to live.

Together with our partners at MNM Developments, we are proud to deliver high-quality homes, including much-needed affordable housing, in one of Edinburgh’s most exciting and culturally rich neighbourhoods.

“Backing onto Leith Links and just moments from the Shore, this development combines green space, connectivity and community in a truly unique setting.”

Marc Teague, Managing Director at MNM Developments, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Cruden to bring Salamander Yards to life.

“Leith continues to grow as a vibrant, creative and highly desirable place to live and work. This development not only delivers much-needed homes, but also supports the wider regeneration of the waterfront and enhances the strong sense of community that defines the area.”

Salamander Yards forms part of the wider regeneration of the Leith Waterfront, helping to create a thriving, mixed-use neighbourhood just minutes from the heart of the capital. First homes are due to complete in Spring 2027. 

Edinburgh developers move a mountain to tackle homelessness

More than 2,500 tonnes of crushed demolition material recycled to provide firm foundations for Edinburgh’s new Social Bite Village

A man-made mountain of more than 2,500 tonnes of crushed demolition material has been transported across Edinburgh as part of an innovative scheme to provide a long-term solution for people facing homelessness.

The mammoth operation saw almost 100 truckloads of inert building rubble recycled from a city centre development site to form the foundations of a new Social Bite Village, located along the capital’s Granton waterfront.

Charity Social Bite teamed up with regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate to relocate building material which remained following the demolition of the former Deutsche Bank House at 525 Ferry Road (above), making way for Artisan’s spectacular homes-led redevelopment of the site in 2026.

The recycled rubble is now being used to create level groundwork as part of the ongoing construction of the Social Bite Village which will soon become home for up to 16 people who have been affected by homelessness.

The new waterfront community will provide seven new one-bedroom ‘Nest Houses’, together with existing homes converted into single occupancy based on resident feedback. The new community will also include a communal area for residents to cook, gather and relax, together with gardens and space to grow fruit and vegetables.

“This is a superb example of how clever collaboration in the building industry can help improve the world around us,” says Artisan’s Managing Director for Scotland, David Westwater.

“As part of Artisan’s stated commitment to sustainability, we always ensure that as much material as possible can be reused or recycled following demolition. And for this commitment to allow us to help such a life-empowering movement as the creation of a new Social Bite Village means that this really is a perfect development partnership.”

The new Social Bite Village is a relocation of the existing temporary village site, less than one mile away in Granton. The charity’s Edinburgh village model has so far helped more than 100 residents who, at the end of their stay, are supported in transitioning to permanent accommodation. Many have gone on to secure employment, reconnect with family, and move into their own permanent homes.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, adds: “It’s very exciting to see our new project taking shape on a stunning seafront location, and we are delighted to be partnering with Artisan to provide such a firm foundation for the site.

“The success of the Edinburgh Village serves as a blueprint for other projects that we are planning. Its design offers people affected by homelessness, living in unsupported temporary accommodation or other insecure housing, a safe and supportive community in which to find a fresh start.

“With many cities all over the UK declaring housing emergencies and becoming overly reliant on expensive, substandard temporary accommodation, we are proud that our village projects can demonstrate a better alternative that also makes use of innovative construction methods.”

Artisan will start construction of its Ferry Road site, known as 525 Park View (above) in early 2026, in partnership with REInvest Asset Management S.A.

The development will create a low-carbon residential-led community providing 256 sustainable homes, 25% of which will be for affordable housing.

Flexible commercial space facing on to Ferry Road will provide potential for cafes, shops and shared workspaces.

£3.5m development of Queensferry High Street begins

The city council is investing millions to improve Queensferry High Street and the town centre for residents, businesses and visitors.

The first phase of work began yesterday (October 7) from Seals Craig to Hawes Car Park and will run for 8-10 weeks. This will focus on re-surfacing and pavement widening, with minimal traffic management and no reduction in parking throughout this period.

Following a pause during the festive period, the second phase is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and will last for around one year.

This phase will create a new road layout, widen pavements, introduce new disabled, electric vehicle and car club parking, resurface the High Street, narrow Newhalls Road and improve public spaces throughout the area.

There will also be a new westbound segregated cycleway from the Hawes Car Park into the High Street along with a contraflow cycle lane on Edinburgh Road.

More information on the project and wider investment in Queensferry is available on the city council’s website.

Transport and Enviornment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m delighted that we’ve reached this important stage in the transformation of Queensferry High Street, the town centre, and the wider community.

“This ambitious public realm regeneration will create a safer, more accessible, and vibrant environment for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

“Our plans bring high level improvements to the area all whilst preserving and refurbishing elements of Queensferry’s unique historical character. Throughout the planning and development process, we’ve engaged extensively with local residents, businesses and the broader community to ensure their views and needs have been considered.

“This project will secure and revitalise Queensferry High Street’s prosperity for generations to come and I’m very excited to see how works develop over the coming months.”

New pavilion for Craigroyston CYFC

COUNCIL LEADER OPENS LOCAL CLUB’s NEW FACILITY

Craigyroyston Community Youth Football Club has been gifted a brand-new pavilion by the City of Edinburgh Council.

At an official ceremony to handover the modern new facility yesterday (Friday, 15 August) Council Leader Jane Meagher presented youth team members and club representatives with the keys to the Pavilion.

Relocating the club to their new modern premises at Marine Drive is part of the Council’s wider £1.3bn generation of Granton Waterfront. 

The former club base was previously on adjacent land where the Council is building 143 new environmentally friendly affordable homes known as the Silverlea development.

The half a million-pound project, funded by the Council, has delivered modern changing rooms with showers and a café for club members, their families and other visitors to enjoy.

Designed by architects Smith Scott Mullan, Cruden delivered the project on behalf of the Council and has also gifted the signage and branding in the new facility.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “As we continue to deliver our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront, this is a perfect example of our commitment to creating healthy and vibrant communities in the area.

“Investing in our young people is an important part of this work. The former club base was on land that we needed to build affordable homes.

“Providing these modern facilities right next to our Silverlea site works well for the young footballers and the wider community, allowing the club to thrive and attract new members in the future. “

Colin Dudgeon Club Secretary said: “This is a historic day for us. For the first couple of years setting up Craigroyston Community Youth Football Club we didn’t have a home until we moved into Craigroyston Park in 2009.

“The club base we’ve been using wasn’t in good condition and so we’d like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for our magnificent new club base for our players and parents to call our home. Thanks as well to Cruden for their part in this project and the signage and branding they kindly gifted for the building.

“We can offer safe, hygienic, and modern facilities to our players with changing rooms and showers suitable for all ages and parents can relax in our new Craigie Café, which will be opening on match days soon.”

Michael Palethrope, Community Benefit Manager for Cruden, said: “Community-run clubs like Craigroyston CYFC are at the heart of great neighbourhoods, and we’re proud to support them.

“Alongside building quality, energy-efficient homes and green spaces, we always look for ways to give back to the communities we work in.

“This club is a fantastic example of that, and we can’t wait to see them thrive in their new home.”

PICTURES: CYFC

Plans submitted to transform Leith’s ‘iconic’ Cables Wynd House and Linksview House

The City of Edinburgh Council’s retrofit project has taken a major step forward this month with the submission of a planning application by Collective Architecture.

Built in the 1960s and now designated as Category A listed buildings, Cables Wynd House and Linksview House collectively provide 310 homes, the majority of which are owned by the Council for social rent.

These landmark buildings have served generations of residents, and this project represents a significant investment in securing their future as safe, high-quality homes.

The proposed works are being driven by the need to meet the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing – EESSH2.

Achieving compliance will require substantial upgrades to both the building fabric and mechanical systems. Alongside this, the Council has identified the opportunity to deliver wider improvements that will bring the buildings in line with modern new-build standards.

Key elements of the proposal include:

  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Improved insulation, window replacements, and energy-efficient heating systems to meet EESSH2 standards.
  • Fire Safety Enhancements: Installation of sprinkler systems, smoke ventilation, a new fire-fighting lift, and improved fire compartmentalisation in communal areas. The removal of legacy bin chutes and inclusion of internal waste management facilities will also contribute to enhanced fire safety.
  • Resident Safety and Security: Upgraded internal and external lighting, a comprehensive review of CCTV systems, and improved access control throughout the buildings.
  • Landscape and Placemaking Improvements: The refurbishment project presents a unique opportunity to reimagine the outdoor environment surrounding both towers. Proposals include new play areas, external seating, wildflower meadows, sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), and a full review of parking and waste facilities.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: “I am delighted that the proposals for the Council’s £69 million investment in Cables Wynd House and Linksview House have now been submitted to the CEC Planning Service, setting out our plans to make our residents’ homes safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient.  

“Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents have long campaigned for this much needed and substantive investment in their homes to happen.  

“Their influence and input into our consultation sessions have shaped these proposals and is hugely valued.  I look forward to continuing this positive engagement with Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents and Leith Ward Councillors as the project progresses.”

Carl Baker, Architect, Certified Passivhaus Designer – Collective Architecture said: “Collective Architecture is proud to be working with The City of Edinburgh Council on the retrofit of Cables Wynd House and Linksview House.

“Our proposals place residents at the heart of the process, aiming to provide greener, warmer homes, while celebrating and sensitively enhancing the unique character of the Category A listed buildings.

“As part of a just transition, our carefully considered interventions will improve the thermal and environmental performance of the iconic structures – boosting energy efficiency and alleviating the risk of fuel poverty.

“As with many of our projects, meaningful resident engagement has been central to the design process and will remain a key focus through the final design stage and into construction.”

Subject to planning approval, the Council will continue to engage closely with residents throughout the design and construction process, ensuring their needs remain at the heart of the project.

Planning permission granted for £4m West Pilton Park redevelopment

GREEN LIGHT FOR WEST PILTON PARK REDEVELOPMENT

West Pilton Park will benefit from over £4M of investment for improvements to access, play, wildlife, planting and recreation.

The park will become a destination and attraction for all within the local area and beyond to access good quality greenspace. Funding has been secured to enable the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) to procure the services of SLR landscape architects to carry out a redesign in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council.

Following consultation with the local community, planning permission has been granted to enable the project to move to the next step of sourcing a contractor to carry out the work which is due to start in 2025.

The project is being managed by ELGT which aims to reinvigorate the public space, encouraging more people to use the park, which in turn will help improve their health and wellbeing. The development of amenities including new play, skate, and bouldering areas has been welcomed by the local community and will offer local residents the opportunity to use the park more for recreation.

A new community growing space will also allow local people and organisations to participate in community growing activities.

Well-designed, well-maintained, and accessible green space can have a positive impact on public health. Encouraging those who do not currently use the park regularly to do so could make a big difference to everyday lives.

The redevelopment will also help to mitigate against climate change, local flooding, and wildlife loss. This will include the creation of a seasonal wetland area, woodland restoration, meadow creation, and the planting of hundreds more trees across the park. This will provide a boost for wildlife and build climate resilience, as well as providing a visually attractive landscape for people to live their daily lives.

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker, said: “Following consultation with the local community, I’m very excited that the West Pilton Park development will be taking the next steps towards creating a welcoming green space for the community, in partnership with Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT).

“We are fortunate to have 144 parks and green spaces across the city and 38 Green Flag Awards – so it’s easy to see why we’re considered the UK’s greenest city.

“Our parks have a positive impact on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing by providing space for exercise, relaxation, social contact with friends and family, and opportunities for children and young people to play.

“I look forward to seeing the space at West Pilton Park take shape for our community and the development of new play areas and growing opportunities for locals and organisations.”

Chief Executive of Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, Charlie Cumming, said: “I am delighted with the plans to make improvements to West Pilton Park, with thanks to our funders and the City of Edinburgh Council.

“The new amenities will provide an opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents as well as helping them to reclaim the park as a welcoming community space.

“The new play facilities will help meet the needs of the local children now and for future generations and will encourage greater use of the park for local families. The local community were at the centre of the consultation process, and it was their responses that ultimately guided the designs.

“Everyone deserves access to modern amenities and it’s important to have high quality greenspaces that people of all ages can enjoy. It also provides an opportunity to reconnect with nature and help to mitigate against climate change and biodiversity loss.

“It has been great for ELGT to lead on this project so far and we look forward to breaking ground soon and delivering this park for the local community.”

Green Projects Manager, North Edinburgh Arts, Valla Moodie said: “We are looking forward to enjoying the rejuvenated park in West Pilton.

“The plans will create an improved space which will be a welcome addition to the quality greenspace across the community, bringing multiple benefits to local people and to local nature.”

Seafield reimagined

Vision for new coastal neighbourhood

A masterplan to transform Seafield in north-east Edinburgh into a new environmentally friendly neighbourhood, was published yesterday by the Council.

The masterplan will also connect its coastline to the surrounding communities in Leith, Portobello and Craigentinny.

Currently, the area is primarily made up of car showrooms, trades, light industry as well as Lothian Buses’ Marine Depot and the Council’s Seafield Household Waste Recycling Centre. The draft ‘Seafield Place Brief’ and ‘Draft Seafield Masterplan’ have been produced to add detail to the allocation in the Council’s local development plan, City Plan 2030, as one of 44 pieces of land across Edinburgh allocated as an ‘Opportunity Site’ for development.

Planning Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish said: “Our draft plan focuses on the creation of a new environmentally friendly neighbourhood at Seafield to help address the city’s housing emergency.

“Options for higher density flats, with the clear aim of 35% of homes on site being affordable, are being explored with stunning views across the Firth of Forth alongside excellent community facilities.

“We’re estimating the site could potentially deliver as many as 2,700 homes with a range of other styles of housing such as colonies and townhouses. We’ll also make sure there are opportunities for employment and community uses.

“Our bold vision to transform this area would open up the Seafield section of Edinburgh’s coastline creating an attractive and seamless promenade linking to the waterfront communities that already exist on either side.

“I’d like to thank the local people and businesses whose views have helped get us to this stage and I look forward to receiving further feedback from the upcoming consultation to help us finalise our plans.”

A new primary school, GP surgery and plenty of green space are also proposed for Seafield as well as a Waterfront Park.  Improved public transport, walking, cycling and wheeling routes linking to the wider area are also included. The provision of a heat network to help the city with its net zero target is planned. This would also help to keep utility bills down for future residents.

The area under consideration stretches from Seafield Street in the north to King’s Road in the south. The eastern boundary of the site is the Forth Estuary, while the western boundary is defined by a railway line and by Seafield Recreation Area. Seafield Road East, part of the A199, runs through much of the site. As Seafield is a coastal area, work is also ongoing with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to make sure we mitigate against any future flood risk.

If approved for consultation by the Planning Committee next week, residents, businesses and other organisations interested in the area will be asked to give their views on the ‘Draft Seafield Place Brief’ and ‘Draft Seafield Masterplan’, developed following extensive consultation with local people and businesses.

You can watch next week’s meeting on the council website.  

Queen Margaret Uni transforms its teaching and learning spaces

Queen Margaret University’s attractive modern campus, which was built in Musselburgh in 2007, is undergoing a significant transformation which will see the development of exciting new teaching and learning spaces.

The Future Spaces project involves the revitalisation of some of the University’s most important learning and teaching spaces to help ensure QMU meets the changing needs of students and staff.

The work also aims to support QMU’s ambitions to refresh, enhance and modernise the campus so that it continues to attract prospective students and supports the growth of the university. 

With an investment of £2.1 million, students and staff can expect to see a dramatic change to the Learning Resource Centre and some ground floor classroom areas, which will ultimately expand capacity for self-directed and collaborative student learning and informal teaching activity.

The enhancement and repurposing of spaces will also provide more flexible use of key areas of the building and a wider choice of more comfortable, vibrant, and sociable study space options. Some of the changes will also provide increased capacity for larger practical group work, which will provide greater flexibility with timetabling and support the delivery of high demand courses. 

Bruce Laing, Director of Campus Services, explained: “Queen Margaret University already has an attractive, bright, modern campus development, but it’s important that we continue investing in our buildings to ensure they reflect changes in the way students work and developments in the way we teach.

“Essentially, we want to create welcoming and comfortable study and teaching spaces where students want to be, and which will support and enhance their learning. Aside from supporting current students studying at the University, the investment will help us to remain competitive in our ability to attract prospective students.”

A range of stakeholder engagement took place across the university through workshops, surveys and feedback sessions to help shape the plans and deliver attractive, flexible spaces which would inspire, motivate and support students to fully engage in a diverse range of learning opportunities.

The renovation work involves the transformation of the Learning Resource Centre to create spaces which support social learning through collaborative and peer-group projects, and flexible spaces which support a diversity of informal teaching and supervision activity.

Bruce Laing continued: “We are delighted to be working with Morris & Spottiswood in the transformation of the building spaces, and it is hoped that the full first phase of the project will be completed by mid-September, allowing our students to take full advantage of the new spaces in their first semester.

“We are also excited about showcasing our new interior spaces to hundreds of prospective students and their families at our September and October open days this year. More importantly, we are confident that the current transformation of learning and teaching spaces will help us enhance the student experience so that students are well equipped to go out into the world and make a difference.”

David Thorn, Operations Director at Morris & Spottiswood said: “Our aim is to create places where people can thrive, and this project really seeks to deliver such spaces, so we are thrilled to be involved. 

“All stakeholders are committed to successful delivery, and we have experienced true commitment to partnership working across our team, Designers ADP Architecture, Project Managers HD Property Consultants and the wider project delivery team.”

Professor David Stevenson, Dean of the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management and Project Sponsor, concluded: “This is an exciting, creative project for the University which, after two years of work, will now revitalise and improve our learning environment.

“We are pleased that our partner Morris & Spottiswood is providing the excellent support that we need to deliver our vision and that they share our commitment to ensuring the QMU environment is a happy, productive and enjoyable place to be.”