May 30 2025

A brownfield site at Edinburgh's Western Harbour is set to spring into action with the submission of plans for 154 flats.

FM Group is purchasing the reclaimed land for two apartment blocks that form a perimeter urban block, combining mixed affordable housing with properties for private sale.

Adhering to a consent for permission in principle, the 56Three design concerns 0.62ha of reclaimed land at the western end of the Port of Leith as well as a 2002 Robert Adam masterplan for Western Harbour.

Subject to an expired 2008 approval for 109 flats the density has been upped to tackle Edinburgh's ongoing housing crisis while retaining a sense of 'waterfront character' for the tenure blind proposal.

In a planning statement, the architects observed: "A combination of four types of facing brick: dark red, pale red, buff and pale buff are used to accentuate the elevations, creating depth and intrigue.

"Complementary industrial metal cladding is utilised for the maritime Juliette balconies to highlight the regular rhythm of window openings along the elevation and create historical ties to dockside architecture. The proposed materiality responds to the local climatic conditions, weathering well in the harsh marine environment, improving the sustainability of the proposal and enhancing the aesthetics."

The space between both blocks will comprise a mix of gardens and car parking.

10 Comments

#1 Posted by KB on 30 May 2025 at 10:05 AM

Grim. I can't elaborate on that.

#2 Posted by Lovely on 30 May 2025 at 11:03 AM

Very dense proposal in both senses of the word.

#3 Posted by Ben on 30 May 2025 at 13:02 PM

This is absolutely horrific, so perfectly in keeping with the Edinburgh standard for new builds.

#4 Posted by randy hall on 30 May 2025 at 13:05 PM

...often referred to in the architecture industry as a sh*gger

#5 Posted by town planner on 30 May 2025 at 14:41 PM

1. Design-wise, sadly not the bonniest. To find a positive, like the idea of mixing brick colours between blocks.
2. If there is indeed a "housing crisis" or "housing emergency" (delete as appropriate), then why isn't part of this scheme at least as high as it's immediate neighbour? Few places in Edinburgh as suitable as Glasgow for taller buildings, but along the waterfront is one of them.

#6 Posted by Philip on 30 May 2025 at 19:19 PM

FFS 56Ten...4 types of brick creating 'intrigue'..?!
Are you trying to create intrigue with your student schemes on Mayfield Road/ Ratcliffe Terrace too. I can't find any. Just a complete disregard for context, proportion, materiality and architectural integrity. More dross for Granton.

#7 Posted by James Hepburn on 31 May 2025 at 17:31 PM

My god! Developers have no shame. This look like housing people are sentenced to. Grim would be an understatement.

#8 Posted by KB on 1 Jun 2025 at 10:06 AM

Everyone in agreement here. Is it too late??
The second picture sums up this proposed development. At first, I thought it was an aerial photograph of Berlin in 1945.

#9 Posted by Sue Pearman on 2 Jun 2025 at 10:36 AM

Unfortunately the Granton proposals seem to be incrementally pursuing lower quality with each iteration.
To me, this looks like a basic Revit numbers exercise that wasn't developed into a proper design, but somehow became a planning application. Low bar stuff.

#10 Posted by David on 2 Jun 2025 at 12:47 PM

Are these Portakabins?

Post your comments