Edinburgh building news 2026, Lothian architecture images, Scottish architects, modern Scotland property design

Edinburgh Building News 2026: Architecture

post updated 2 April 2026

22 March 2026

Two Edinburgh tower blocks get energy efficiency overhaul

image © Collective Architecture

More than 100 flats across two residential towers in Edinburgh will soon be transformed into energy-efficient and comfortable homes, thanks to a sweeping refurbishment programme designed by award-winning architectural practice Collective Architecture. The project forms part of the Council’s wider Strategic Investment Plan for high-rise buildings and will bring both blocks up to modern standards.

Craigmillar and Peffermill Courts Tower Blocks

20 March 2026

Lichfields relocates to larger Edinburgh office amid team growth

Planning and development consultancy Lichfields has relocated its Edinburgh team to larger premises as the business continues to grow its presence in Scotland.

Now located at Caledonian Exchange, the new office is 1,800 sq ft office, 56% larger than its previous base. It provides additional workspace and improved collaborative areas to support the team’s continued expansion.

The move follows a decade of growth for the Edinburgh office, which marked its 10th anniversary last year. Since establishing in 2015 with a team of three, the office has steadily expanded and continues to add new talent, including several graduate planners.

The new office is designed to support further growth as the consultancy continues to work with clients across Scotland on a wide range of planning and development projects. The Edinburgh team currently advises on projects spanning the length of the country, from the Orkney Islands to Dumfries and Galloway, as well as across the central belt and into Aberdeenshire.

Nicola Woodward, who leads Lichfields’ Edinburgh office, said: “We are very proud of the success we have had for clients in Scotland over the past 10 years and this move to larger premises reflects the continued growth of the team here in Edinburgh. Over the past decade we have built a strong and experienced team supporting clients across a wide range of sectors, from housing and retail through to leisure, tourism and renewable energy.

“The new office gives us the space we need to continue expanding the team while also providing a more collaborative working environment. As we move into our second decade supporting clients across Scotland and beyond, this investment puts us in a strong position to build on the momentum we have developed and continue delivering successful outcomes for our clients.”

Lichfields’ workload includes supporting housebuilders and land promoters responding to calls for sites as planning authorities prepare new Local Development Plans ahead of the May 2028 deadline. The team is also advising on retail, leisure and tourism schemes including hotels and holiday parks, alongside an increasing number of battery energy storage and renewable energy projects.

In addition, the team continues to support two major fast-food operators on projects across Scotland, navigating the policy requirements introduced through National Planning Framework 4. Internationally, the Edinburgh office is also advising the HM of Gibraltar on the preparation of its new development plan.

Roisin Kingsbury, a planner in the Edinburgh office, added: “It’s exciting to be part of the Edinburgh office as we move into our new space, and I’m looking forward to the opportunities it will give us to continue supporting our clients and taking on new challenges as our team grows.”

20 March 2026

Scottish Housing Emergency Catastrophe Potential

With Scotland’s housing emergency soon set to enter its third year, a new report from sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS) demonstrates that, far from ending any time soon, the situation is set to develop into catastrophic proportions unless the Scottish Government acts now to intervene effectively.

The below graph showing national housing completions from 2015-25 and alternative forecasts by both Homes for Scotland and councils for the period 2025-2034 can be downloaded here.

Read the article in full at Glasgow Building News 2026

6 March 2026

69-97 Ingram Street Construction News

Construction of 109 new low carbon homes and 10,000 sq ft of commercial space is to begin later this year. This development follows the purchase of the site at 69-97 Ingram Street by property developer Artisan Real Estate:

69-97 Ingram Street

6 March 2026

Health Innovation Hub Building

Designed by London architects Hawkins\Brown, Health Innovation Hub is Glasgow’s new purpose-built life science facility. It focuses on advancing precision medicine technologies through the R&D stage ahead of commercialisation:

Health Innovation Hub Building

24 February 2026

Scottish City Hotel Development News

A prime city-centre site in Glasgow with planning consent for a 276-bedroom hotel has been put on the market after its current owners decided not to proceed with the project.
The site at Dale House on West George Street is being marketed for £4 million.

Read more details on the Glasgow Architecture news page.

22 January 2026

Sector urges Scottish Government to capitalise on the welcome potential of new housing agency

Responding to the Scottish Government’s announcement of a new national housing agency to enable and facilitate the accelerated delivery of homes of all tenures, Jane Wood, Chief Executive of sector representative body Homes for Scotland, said:

“With it now approaching two years since a national housing emergency was declared, this is an important and much-needed intervention from the Scottish Government which we have long called for. We applaud the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Housing on this bold move which seeks to introduce simplicity, scale and speed.

“There is clearly much detail to be worked through but the impact of this announcement and the Scottish Government’s restated commitment to an all-tenure approach should not be underestimated in terms of its potential to stimulate both private sector confidence and investment. In order to make sure that the ambitions of the Scottish Government are achieved, it is now essential that commercial insight and all-tenure expertise feed directly into the design phase. Homes for Scotland is ready to play its full role in this on behalf of members who together deliver the vast majority of all new homes built tin Scotland.”

post updated 18 January 2026

National Galleries of Scotland Waterfront Cultural Centre News

The National Galleries of Scotland has secured almost £56m from the Scottish Government to get a new waterfront cultural centre in Edinburgh off the ground, The Herald can reveal.

The funding package – which will be spread over four years – will allow the National Galleries to proceed with The Art Works project after more than a decade of planning.

16 January 2026

Leading Northern Architects Open New Edinburgh Office

Leading Yorkshire architects brown + company have opened an office in Edinburgh.

The office, which is based in the heart of the historic city, will be run by award-winning architect Rob Miller.

Build-to-Rent apartments in Meadowbank, Edinburgh design by Leach Rhodes Walker:

Rob has already made his mark in Edinburgh, having secured first place in the National Design Ideas Competition for a new community facility at Portobello Promenade in the city.

He explained: “I am extremely proud to be opening brown + company’s first Scottish office here in Edinburgh. This is a major move for our company and a tremendous vote of confidence not just in ourselves, but crucially also in Edinburgh.”

Architect Rob Miller of brown + company:

Rob has over ten years of experience as an architect in both Leeds and York, with a diverse portfolio of completed and acclaimed projects, ranging from sensitive conversions of listed buildings to large-scale mixed-use developments. After joining brown + company in 2019, he played a key role in several high-profile projects in the city including The Roman Quarter and Coney Street Riverside and two Aparthotels in the city centre, before relocating to Edinburgh.

“I believe strongly that my experience of working in York, a magnificent city full of history just like Edinburgh, on heritage, office, retail, build-to-rent, education and brownfield projects, will stand me in great stead as I hit the ground running.

Portobello Promenade design by brown + company:

“So, too, will the Scottish track record of our sister firm Manchester-based Leach Rhodes Walker, which has delivered several high-profile projects across Glasgow and Edinburgh, including Motel One on Princes Street and the Royal and Custom House Glasgow. Leach Rhodes Walker has also recently secured planning consent for 277 Build-to-Rent apartments in Meadowbank, Edinburgh, on behalf of Grahams Investments and Panacea Property.”

Neil Brown, managing director of brown + company, commented: “Rob is the perfect person to open and run our Edinburgh office. Hard-working, talented and charismatic, he brings a strong understanding of design, a creative approach to problem-solving and a dedication to sustainable practices to every project he undertakes.

“These characteristics helped Rob to win the National Ideas competition, which invited proposals from architects across the UK to revitalise the dated public toilet block at Portobello Promenade, introducing commercial and community uses that would support extended public access.”

Rob explained: “Our winning proposal reimagines the existing facilities through sensitive refurbishment and thoughtful expansion. The scheme enhances accessibility with new inclusive toilets, a Changing Places facility and showers for beachgoers.”

Royal and Custom House Glasgow by Leach Rhodes Walker:

The proposal also features a community garden — a shared initiative to be nurtured by local schools, charities, and residents. Seasonal produce grown here will be used within the community facility, reinforcing the project’s commitment to local collaboration and sustainability.

Neil added: “We are incredibly proud of winning this prestigious competition. Rob worked tremendously hard on this project to create a high-quality facility which is worthy of its stunning situation.”

brown + company are now working closely with the client and City of Edinburgh Council to fulfil Rob Miller’s vision for Portobello Promenade.

brown + company (www.brownandcompany.uk) are York’s leading architects with major projects including St Peter’s School, Coney Street Riverside, The Mount Royale, Aparthotel Micklegate and 23 Piccadilly in York, together with Hotham Hall Estate in East Yorkshire and St Paul’s Street in Leeds.

13 January 2026

Home builders frustrated by Scottish Budget

References to young Scots looking for their first home and support for wider all-tenure ambitions welcome but glaring lack of detail

As Scotland’s housing emergency continues to intensify, the country’s home builders have been left “frustrated” by today’s Scottish Budget announcement.

Ahead of May’s Scottish Parliament election, Homes for Scotland are asking stakeholders to demand that housing is a top priority for all parties so that everyone has access to a home that meets their needs and that they can afford.

Help end the housing emergency by reading Homes for Scotland’s 2026 manifesto asks and pledging your support at homesbuildfutures.scot.

Read the article in full on the Glasgow Building News 2026 page.

12 January 2026

Princes House Student Accommodation Glasgow Building Design

Acting on behalf of TREC Capital, Mosaic Architecture + Design, one of Scotland’s most experienced practices, has submitted a planning application to develop best-in-class purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) at Princes House on the corner of Waterloo Street and West Campbell Street in Glasgow city centre.

Princes House Student Accommodation Building News

Lothians property updates from last year for now!

5 December 2025

Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh Scaffolding

On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland’s historic capital sits a monolith of scaffolding:

Hotel Missoni Building

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