Fountainbridge Regeneration

One of the largest ever regeneration schemes in Edinburgh’s city centre is underway.

The Fountainbridge area is undergoing extensive new development which when complete will shape an entire quarter of the city.  One of the major projects within the 32 hectare (79 acre) site is Fountain North, a £200million urban regeneration scheme by joint venture partners AMA/Grosvenor and the Royal Bank of Scotland to develop the former 3.2 hectare (8acre) Scottish and Newcastle kegging site.

Outline planning consent was approved in January by the City of Edinburgh Council to develop Fountain North, which is sandwiched between Edinburgh's Western Approach Road and Fountainbridge.  The area is a natural extension of Edinburgh’s Exchange District and Haymarket and will provide a new gateway to the city.

Around 2,500 jobs will be created by the urban mixed use development, comprising approximately 14,864 sq.m (160,000 sq ft) of office accommodation, 650 residential units, student residences, 1,858 sq. m (20,000 sq ft) of retail space, underground car parking and a new public park with nursery.

Detailed planning is currently underway for Phase 1, Fountain North, which lies immediately east of Fountain Park Leisure Complex.  In the next few months the designs will be finalised for the first phase of the development and its infrastructure.  Phase 1 is anticipated to commence in July 2006 with construction starting early 2007 following demolition and site enabling works.  It will comprise 200 residential properties, 115 affordable housing units, 250 student residences, car parking and 418 sq. m (4,500 sq ft) retail/restaurant premises.  Detailed designs also underway for up to 7,432 sq. m (80,000 sq ft) of speculative office accommodation.

Given the current short supply of office accommodation we anticipate good levels of demand and potential pre-letting activity.  Phase 1 is expected to be completed Q3 2008.

Ryden has provided joint advice to enable the site acquisition and continues to provide development consultancy and research advice for this live and exciting project.