In 2022, Edinburgh lost something great. After 150 years in operation, its last functioning brewery – at that point owned by Heineken – was shut down and sold. Originally opened in 1869, the site of the brewery was bought last year by Artisan Real Estate, which has just submitted planning permission to the council to turn the disused factory into 168 brand new homes.
The company has promised to ‘respect, preserve and tell the story of the Caledonian Brewery’. They intend to ‘upcycle’ much of the building and its equipment in an effort to ‘maintain and celebrate as much of the brewery’s unique heritage as possible’. There will be a mix of single and double bed flats, as well some affordable housing and duplex homes.
The proposal, submitted to the council earlier this month, explains the plans to oversee ‘the establishment of a pedestrian and cycle-friendly community, fostering routes and views to such a crucial historical heart of the area.
‘The design will deliver high-quality housing, facilitating the formation of a new green space and re-establishing the former Caledonian Brewery as a local landmark, defining its significance as a crucial connection point within the city.’
Here’s a first look at what could become of the old factory, if the council likes what they see.
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