Robertson and The City of Edinburgh Council have developed proposals to regenerate Muirhouse Shopping Centre. This includes 13 retail units, library and office space, public improvements, and 160 residential units, with Robertson Partnership Homes the delivery contractor.
The project was procured through the Scape Major Works framework (now superseded by Major Works Scotland), part of the National Construction framework. It is being delivered by Robertson in partnership with Willmott Dixon. Scape Group is a public sector owned built environment specialist offering a full suite of national frameworks and innovative design solutions.
The Muirhouse Shopping Centre buildings will be demolished and replaced by three new urban blocks with ground floor retail, commercial and residential development above.
A fourth block is intended to be a community hub building, becoming the focal point around the civic square and providing a library and much-needed services for the local community.
Each of the four blocks will be positioned around the civic square, with a vehicle-free landscaped area, seating zones and shrubbery. The space will be used for markets and community events.
With regeneration the primary focus of this project, and the Muirhouse commercial centre lies at the centre of the wider Pennywell regeneration project that is the focus of a multi-million-pound housing programme by developer Urban Union.
Demolition of the existing shopping arcade began in October 2017 with the removal of the steel canopy, a local landmark having appeared in both Trainspotting movies.
A relocation strategy has been developed that will ensure any existing retailers that wish to remain are retained and will be open for business during the construction works.
Construction will continue through to 2021.