May 13 2021

The former Tynecastle High School is the subject of a significant student residential proposal by S1 Developments and Michael Laird Architects.

The B-listed school has lain derelict for over a decade and will be restored by its new owners, retaining the existing McLeod Street building in the shadow of Tynecastle Stadium while delivering car-free new build accommodation within the grounds.

Constrained by proximity to the North British Distillery and the Western Approach the site is considered unsuitable for mainstream residential but could be manageable through a student housing operator able to control for noise, smell and air quality issues.

Dan Teague, Director at S1 Developments, said: “At S1 Developments we develop sites to suit the location and following a full assessment of the constraints it is clear to us that student development is the most appropriate use to secure the redevelopment of the Old Tynecastle High School and develop the site in a manner which is compatible with the neighbouring uses. Discussions have also been held with local stakeholders and community groups to also look at the potential to form a new community space.

“The original school building has fallen into a sorry state since it stopped being a school in 2009. Whilst the redevelopment is challenging, we are hopeful that the proposed use brings with it an opportunity to save and renovate the original school building and continue its educational use, serving students in higher education.”

A dedicated project website has been set up which will go live at 09:00 on 18 May, with consultants on hand to answer any questions on the day between 15:00 and 19:00.

4 Comments

#1 Posted by Daniel on 13 May 2021 at 17:07 PM

Ooooh, the locals won't be happy (but also won't want students living on their stair).

#2 Posted by Gorgie Local on 14 May 2021 at 14:47 PM

I've worked on SA before, it has it's place and serves a purpose, without it the housing stock would have to be fought over between short term student lets and long term locals. But, and it's a big but, building student flats to free up housing stock only works if there is adequate housing stock. Since 2011 Gorgie/Dalry has had 1183 new student beds built, and just 85 affordable homes. There are currently new student schemes on site on Dundee St, Westfield Road and just around the corner on Muirfield Crescent. The number of beds is increasing to 2481 by next year. At some point we need to build actual long term homes for people and a large brownfield site like this one is prime for it. Students don't pay council tax (rightly), but residents do, and the area sorely needs it. The state of some of the roads and services around this way are a testament to that.

#3 Posted by Daniel on 17 May 2021 at 10:25 AM

#2 - genuine question - the site has been derelict for over a decade, in a climate when funding for affordable housing from the Scottish Government has been relatively generous. Why hasn't this site come forward?

#4 Posted by KLD on 17 May 2021 at 10:30 AM

#4 - agreed. Housing developers have had plenty of time to try and take the site forward. Student accommodation is better than the building deteriorating further.

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