Developer S Harrison has appointed Ogilvie Construction to deliver its £23m student and retail development on Haddington Place, Leith Walk in Edinburgh and is now actively seeking new investment opportunities across Scotland.
Stirling-based Ogilvie Construction moved onto site to commence building work last month following the completion of archaeology and groundwork. The high quality student accommodation units and 6500 sq ft retail provision will be completed in July 2016.
Retail units are being marketed by the Glasgow office of Savills, who already report keen interest.
The local community has welcomed Harrison’s plans to regenerate the disused eyesore site at 34b-40 Haddington Place which was acquired by the Yorkshire-based developer early in 2014. It was formerly part of Edinburgh’s original Botanic Gardens and until recently housed the Botanic Cottage which is currently being reconstructed at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
S Harrison’s mixed use scheme, which won unanimous support from the city’s planning committee in December, is designed to harmonise with the existing streetscape and will see 240 new student units constructed across five storeys above ground floor space which has been approved for retail, café and restaurant use. Constructed of traditional materials, the design is sympathetic to the surrounding listed buildings.
The project will create around 100 construction and associated jobs over the next 18 months and up to 35 permanent jobs when completed.
S Harrison director David Clancy said, “We’ve been impressed by the warm welcome we’ve received on this, our first scheme in Scotland as we seek to bring new life to a derelict site. It is exactly the kind of challenging site on which we excel. We’ve been impressed also by the quality of the professional and construction resource in the city and we are now actively looking to invest in additional development opportunities across Scotland.”
Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said, “We have an extensive track record in the student accommodation sector and are proud to be part of this innovative project. The building will be completed to the highest standards using modern sustainable building materials to ultimately provide a great living environment for students.”
Harrison has been advised by Edinburgh-based Turley planning consultants during the planning process and has worked with East Kilbride architects ICA on the design. Solicitors Brodies have provided legal advice.
