3DReid’s first phase of Edinburgh’s New Fountainbridge

15th Nov 2018
| News
| Sarah Watt

3DReid has secured Planning consent for the first phase of Vastint Hospitality’s ambitious plans for New Fountainbridge; a mixed use development of residential, hotel, commercial, retail and public realm, in the heart of Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge area.

The first phase planning proposal comprises a 263 bedroom Moxy hotel, 5500m2 of much needed Grade A office space and other commercial and retail units plus a dynamic and inclusive public realm is to start on site in April 2019.

3DReid’s design introduces diversity in the cityscape by utilising massing and materials to celebrate the distinction between the hotel and office elements. A cast stone plinth is common to both buildings and clay facing bricks, colours varying between office and hotel, are proposed for the upper levels.

A buff coloured brick is planned for the office vertical elements, with a contrasting darker red/brown brick for the Moxy, brick colours relate to the neighbouring historic buildings. The finish will capture light and shadows, providing a richness and playfulness to the facade.

“This project represents the regeneration of an important city centre brownfield site which has sat empty for 10 years. We have taken the opportunity to improve connections between Fountainbridge, Merchiston and Bruntsfield to the city centre whilst energising the canal towpath and Fountainbridge”

Euan McLaren,

Project Architect, 3DReid

The public realm spaces form a cohesive landscape by connecting new civic spaces, including a public square fronting Fountainbridge, the internal street between the commercial and residential units and the canal towpath.

Speaking about New Fountainbridge, Chris Jetten, Development Manager at Vastint Hospitality said how pleased they were to have secured planning permission for the proposal. He said, “Our plan heralds a fresh start for Fountainbridge and we look forward to working with the community to create a vibrant new neighbourhood that forms a distinctive urban quarter in Edinburgh.”

Neil de Prez, Director at 3DReid: “In addition to our expertise in designing hotel, office and residential developments, our familiarity with the site context and understanding of the aspirations and aims of the City of Edinburgh Council strategy gave us a strong basis for delivering a design for the site that meets the specific development principles set out in the Fountainbridge Development Brief 10 years ago.”

The Planning application has been spilt and the first application is for the office, hotel and ancillary accommodation with the residential application, a combination of private and affordable homes, was submitted in December 2018. The first phase is aiming to start on site in April 2019.