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An artist's impression of the refurbished Edinburgh College of Art.

Edinburgh College of Art

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Summary

Sector
Education
Value
£23m
Location
Edinburgh
Status
Live
Customer
The University of Edinburgh
Completion
Summer 2026
Duration
2 years
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Refurbishing an historic building for the next generation of learners

The careful and meticulous restoration of a cherished iconic Edinburgh landmark is being carried out by Robertson. The famous Edinburgh College of Art is undergoing a significant, precisely executed refurbishment, safeguarding the building for future generations.

Connecting the campus

Located within the Edinburgh World Heritage Site, the building is beautifully placed, and offers a perfect space for innovative teaching, research and public engagement.

The refurbishment will provide:

  • A main reception for the campus, 
  • Staff accommodation – offices and social space, 
  • Workshops and digital fabrication facilities, 
  • and student support facilities. 

This rationalisation frees up space within the campus to allow greater connectivity and the creation of flexible learning spaces.

Protecting the city’s heritage

We know how important a part of Edinburgh's history this building is, and we are committed to protecting that heritage throughout the refurbishment, so that while we modernise the facilities, the unique personality remains in place.

With extensive experience of carrying out intricate restorations on projects as varied as Whitley Bay’s Spanish City, King’s Theatre in Edinburgh, and The Farrell Centre in Newcastle, we know that each project requires exceptional care and attention to detail, protecting these important buildings and securing their futures.

The fascinating history of Edinburgh College of Art

Constructed more than 120 years ago, as one of the first purpose-built fire stations in Europe, the site has the unusual accolade of being the very first to have living accommodation for firemen and their families. 

The fire station was operational until 1988 and transformed into the home of the Museum of Fire before being relocated to Dryden Terrace. The building was purchased by The University of Edinburgh in 2017, to complete the Lauriston Campus, becoming the Edinburgh College of Art.

A long-term partnership

Our partnership with the University of Edinburgh has been built on many years of trust. We have been relied upon to deliver, and the repeat business we have received from our important partner is testament to the quality of our work.

The Institute of Genetics (IGC) extension, refurbishment of the famous Darwin Building, the Lister Learning & Teaching Centre extension, and construction of the university’s Large Animal Research & Imaging Facility (LARIF) facility, are some of the highly successful projects we have completed.

By developing such a valuable and long-standing partnership with The University of Edinburgh, we have been trusted to help our world-class global customer to achieve their ambitious estates vision.