Around this time last year, we showed you the first look at the massive restoration project being taken on at west Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery. Artisan Real Estate had dreams of breathing new life into the disused brewery by turning it into homes, but back then they were just that: dreams. They applied for planning permission from the council last May, and since then it’s just been a waiting game.
Until now. On Wednesday, May 21, Edinburgh’s city council unanimously voted to approve the request, so now the project is a go. The sub-committee that made the decision said that out of the ‘several bids’ they received for the old brewery, Artisan’s scheme ‘delivered the best outcome for the community as well as meeting the council’s ambitions in terms of delivering sustainable housing’.
So what’s actually set to happen to this site? Well, the developers want to focus on honouring its 150 year history by maintaining as much of the original material as possible, including the brewing equipment itself. A spokesperson from the company explained; ‘From the very start, Artisan placed the preservation of the site’s unique heritage right at the heart of our approach.’
He continued that they have designed the project to ‘both [reflect] the brewery’s historical legacy, [and create] a high-quality and well-connected urban neighbourhood which promises to set new standards for city centre living’.
On top of the promised 168 new, sustainable homes, there are plans to rebuild the facades of several old buildings destroyed in a fire in the 1990s. There will also be green spaces, a selection of affordable homes, and transport connections to the city centre. Because of all of this, Artisan is ‘confident that our comprehensive proposals will raise the UK bar for the homes-led regeneration of historically important city centre sites across the UK’.
There is no set date for construction to begin, but now that planning permission has been granted things will hopefully be put in motion very soon. Eventually, we’ll be able to see the brewery back in all its glory, just without the actual brewing this time.
Exploring Edinburgh with Time Out?
While you wait for the Caledonian Brewery to receive its facelift, why not try out one of Edinburgh’s best bars? Or one of the city’s many excellent restaurants or brunch places. Once you’ve done that, head to a museum or art gallery to top it off with a bit of culture.
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