Bonnington Road Lane

The proposals are for a residential development of a Build-to-Rent Tenure with areas of communal amenity. The form and massing of the buildings have been carefully considered in the context of the industrial heritage and urban grain of the site.

Date

2024

Client

Platform_ (Westrock)

Value

£Confidential

The proposals are for a residential development of a Build-to-Rent Tenure. The developer will fund and procure the design and construction and ultimately manage the finished building.

The site is located on the east of Bonnington Road Lane and west of Anderson Place. The Water of Leith, a designated local nature conservation site, forms the site’s northern boundary. The riverside edge is mostly tree lined. The north and centre of the site formerly housed the depot (storage and distribution use) for John Lewis. The site extends southwards to Bonnington Road which is occupied by the former Bonnington Centre which was The City of Edinburgh Council Health and Social Care Department, additionally on this site stood a now demolished bar and restaurant.

The site sits within a wider area of mixed industrial uses which is undergoing significant change with several new residential developments proposed, or under construction in the immediate vicinity.

There are no listed buildings within the site itself, a category B listed warehouse bond converted to residential and commercial use is opposite the site on Anderson Place.

464 apartments in a mix of studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom are proposed to be provided; with areas of communal amenity such as co-working space, a residents lounge, concierge and reception, a bike club shop and café, a variety of external communal spaces at ground level, as well as beautifully landscaped roof terraces across the development.

The design seeks to maximise the use of the brownfield site increasing density whilst maintain a high standard of design quality.

The heights and massing of the proposals have been carefully considered and analysed across the site with particular reference to the relationship to the topographic profile of the river valley and the setting of the listed bond building.

The fine grain of the roof scape has been assessed with particular reference to the industrial heritage of the area. Modulating roof levels and forms address the unique riverside context.

The configuration of the blocks have been informed by the urban grain of the context. Block A creates fingers of development breaking the new street Bonnington Place Lane with a layered approach to public and private space. The fingers address The Water of Leith respectfully with a generous set back and scale. Block B forms a perimeter around the existing Biscuit Factory clearing defining street pattern and a private amenity courtyard. Block C addresses Bonnington Road and defines the main street and back lane.

A new east west street is created to maximise permeability from Newhaven Road this culminates at the archway of the Bonnington Bond. The boundary conditions of the building have been studied ensuring that active frontage around the development is maximised. Private open space is provided in a high-quality spaces of soft and hard landscape consisting of three Courtyards, the woodland ecological area and three roof terraces. A Public open space is provided to the north-west of the site in the form of a pocket park.