Adopted Leither starts new chapter on Edinburgh waterfront

A BRAND NEW four-bedroom townhouse on the capital’s enviable waterfront has transformed a man hailing from the west of Wales into a Leith local.

John Evans, stumbled across the Waterfront Plaza development by Cala Homes (East) when out on a walk and decided it was the best location for him to start a new chapter.

John moved to Edinburgh more than 25 years ago and has since fallen in love with Leith and everything it has to offer. He made the move to the highly desired Waterfront Plaza from his previous home in Trinity last year.

The Welshman has grown a close affinity to Leith, starting the charity LeithGives during the first lockdown with the aim of providing support to those in need during the pandemic – through local business, charity and community partnerships.

John said: “I love spending every day in the heart of Leith. I have everything I need around me and wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s so sought after for a reason.

“To now live exactly where I want to live and in the perfect home has been absolutely brilliant. I knew about Waterfront Plaza from my work on the board of the Leith Trust, however I never considered it as a potential home until I stumbled across it on a walk one day.”

November 2021 saw John make the switch from a five-bedroom Victorian house in Trinity to one of Waterfront Plaza’s modern four-bedroom townhouses. The townhouses at the development feature an expansive terrace, well designed interiors and Cala’s signature high specification and contemporary style.

One of the bedrooms in the four-bedroom property has been converted by John to a study from where he works from home and he is also in the midst of transforming his garden space into a bee-friendly area.

John says: “The home has been so easy to change and adapt to exactly what I am after. It’s been ideal to have my own study whilst the world gets used to hybrid working. I’m also keen to start my own bee-friendly garden and Cala were very helpful with all of that.

“There have been loads of other nice touches from Cala along the way. The team on site have gone above and beyond to help us transition into our new home.”

John has two sons who have also been enjoying their new home. Rhys, 21 works at the local pub, The Malt and Hops when he’s home from university and Bryn, 17, has been making full use of Leith’s transport routes to school and the city centre.

The family of three have been making the most of having Leith’s vibrant food and drink scene on their doorstep too – regularly visiting the range of local bars, cafes and restaurants.

John added: “I’m surrounded by options which makes daily life so much better. As well as great food spots like Café Domenico’s and everything Leith Shore has to offer, I’ve become a keen local of The Malt and Hops which has great music during the Leith Jazz and Blues Festival.

“It is a great feeling to be part of such a thriving, vibrant community.”

Ranging from £305,000 — £540,000, there are still a host of different home types available at Cala’s Waterfront Plaza development for homebuyers seeking both life by the water and the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Ranging from stylishly designed two and three-bedroom apartments to penthouses and spacious townhouses, Waterfront Plaza has a number of options available for homebuyers seeking a capital life in Leith.

To watch John talk about his new townhouse, click here.

To watch John talk about life at Waterfront Plaza, click here.

For more information on Waterfront Plaza please visit: 

https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/waterfront-plaza-leith/

Green space a ‘soaring priority’ at Leith waterfront development

CALA Homes has released visuals showing plans for a series of raised gardens that will offer residents at a thriving Leith development a rare urban feature.

The new communal gardens at Waterfront Plaza by CALA Homes (East) will span approximately 2500 square metres and serve to deliver attractive and sought-after green spaces for residents, something not often offered by urban developments.

Carefully designed and created, these raised gardens total an area of 10 tennis courts, feature generous amounts of seating and a bright southerly aspect and will be finished with artificial grass, paving and attractive planters above, while shielding parking for up to 74 cars below.

Created for recreational use by all residents of the development, the innovative design is the work of Edinburgh-based landscape architecture firm OPEN.

Work is already well underway on the gardens, as well as on an open landscaped walkway connecting directly to key walking and cycling routes. The first section of the gardens is scheduled to open to residents from spring this year.

Alastair Haigh, Associate with OPEN, said: “These gardens are a special element within this site – located above street level they will provide unique spaces for those that are lucky enough to live here.

“Green space is really coveted at the moment, so to be able to provide landscaped gardens that provide this and enhance the views from apartments by covering parking is a fantastic use of the space.”

Designed with contemporary urban living in mind, the gardens will mirror the raised terraces of the development’s townhouses and provide ample green space – unusual for a city development of its kind. The expanse of breathable, outdoor space corresponds with apartment interiors which offer uncluttered, open plan living.

Further landscaped walkways and private gardens serve to create a green, accessible and attractive site, connecting key parts of Leith while transforming formerly disused industrial land.

Phillip Hogg, Sales and Marketing Director for CALA Homes East said: “This new green space was designed with buyers at all stages of life in mind. Our Waterfront Plaza properties cater to a range of potential buyers, so we felt our outdoor space should too, while allowing them to connect easily with the wider area, whether walking or cycling.

“With the large increase in people working from home over the last year, we’re delighted to be able to offer apartments with views and an accessible green space, perfect for short lunch breaks. The secure keypad entry system also makes it an ideal area for relaxing or play.”

As well as cycle and walking routes, the development also benefits excellent transport connections to the surrounding area and city of Edinburgh itself – and is even directly adjacent to the route of the tram extension.

The 2.9-mile tram extension will be in place by 2023, offering effortless journeys across the city (if all goes to plan – Ed.). The extended line will travel from the airport, through Edinburgh down to Leith and Newhaven.

Launched in summer 2019, Waterfront Plaza is CALA’s latest brownfield regeneration project. After the sell-out success of the first release colony apartments, Waterfront Plaza currently features 2 & 3 bedroom apartments & 4 bedroom townhouses ranging from £295,000 to £520,000.

For more information please visit: https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/waterfront-plaza-leith or call 0131 516 6832.