A gasholder planned to be a ‘central feature’ in the £1.3 billion regeneration of the Granton Waterfront has been reimagined thanks to a new partnership.
The City of Edinburgh Council has collaborated with students from Edinburgh College on the work, which will see the early 20th century tower illuminate the Granton Waterfront sky over a period of up to two years.
The local authority acquired the gasholder as part of its purchase of the wider gasworks site in 2018 and made the commitment to retain and restore it as a central feature within the regeneration of the waterfront.
The site, which sits three miles north of the capital’s city centre, is undergoing major redevelopment work to bring up to 3,500 new homes to the area, as well as Europe’s largest coastal park; creative arts, culture and leisure space; and key services including a school and health centre.
Students from across the college’s creative industries faculty – from music and sound production to art and design – worked alongside 21CC Productions to create the lightshows and designs which will be ready in time for the summer festivals.
Cammy Day, depute leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said, “It’s great to see this iconic structure illuminated as it sits at the heart of our £1.3 billion regeneration project for Granton Waterfront.”
Councillor Donald Wilson, culture and communities convener, added, “It is fantastic that the council can contribute to the night time reimagining of a city landmark into one of Scotland’s biggest and most visible artworks.
“The illumination will provide a highly visible and beautiful installation at the heart of the Granton Waterfront regeneration. It has been an exciting project and in working with Edinburgh College, something truly special has been produced.”
Edinburgh College head of faculty for creative industries, Jakki Jeffery, added, “We’re delighted to be involved in this partnership project working alongside the City of Edinburgh Council to illuminate the sky over Edinburgh.
“This project has provided a fantastic opportunity for students across our Creative Industries faculty to gain experience working on a live project and it’s great to see all their creative ideas come to life.”
