The redevelopment of the former Edinburgh Royal
Infirmary site is one of the UK's largest and most
high profile regeneration schemes. It is also one of
the most sensitive, as the 19 acres of Quartermile are
in Edinburgh's Old Town and, as the site's name
suggests, lies just a quarter of a mile from the castle
and is therefore within the UNESCO designated world
heritage site.
The £450 million scheme, master planned by Foster
+ Partners and developed by a joint venture between
Gladedale and Bank of Scotland Corporate, will form
a new community of the city with 900 homes. When
complete, the development will also have more than
350,000 sq ft of grade A office accommodation in
four buildings, restaurants, cafes and shops, plus
seven acres of green space.
The scheme strikes a balance between conservation
and restoration of the existing infirmary and the
revitalisation of the spaces around it and the injection
of new architecture. Residential buildings are on the
greener edges of the site, while busier commercial
and retail activities are concentrated in the centre. At the heart is a new public square.
To date, 10 buildings have been completed on the
site. The first office building is occupied and more
than 140 apartments are occupied. The public square
and more commercial space will be completed later
this year. The overall scheme is scheduled for
completion in 2014. |
