Lochrin Square
A Strategic Role in the Redevelopment of Fountainbridge
Incorporating the Category B Listed former Scotmid HQ, Lochrin Square re-instates urban fabric to this long-overlooked part of Edinburgh.
- Location Fountainbridge, Edinburgh
- Client Gladedale Capital Ltd
- Status Complete
- Services Architecture
- Size 130,000 sq ft
- Photography Alan McAteer / Paul Zanre
Redevelopment Opportunity
Following the successful construction of the adjacent Edinburgh Quay, clients Scotmid identified the opportunity to redevelop their HQ building to support the ongoing regeneration of the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh.
The original building comprised additions from different eras and uses.
A gap site left an undefined street edge.
The original bakery building featured an attractive curved brick wall.
The original Scotmid HQ.
Incorporating Heritage Buildings
However, successfully incorporating the existing historical buildings presented a challenge. These included the Category B listed former Scotmid Headquarters, a Victorian building dating from the 1880s which marries the vernacular and the Scottish Baronial.
Design Approach
The two new office buildings were designed to wrap around behind the existing stone building onto Fountainbridge. This affords the existing façade respect and room to breathe within the surrounding dense urban fabric.
These four-storey buildings provide 130,000 sq ft of office and restaurant space.
The re-built brick wall.
Original Planning Drawing.
The re-instated board room.
Conservation Strategy
As part of the conservation strategy, the most historically important parts of the original building were identified and incorporated into the fabric of the new. For example, the boardroom was carefully taken down, restored and replaced within the new building.
And the original brick wall from the Old Bakery to the north, which is curved to follow the shape of the Union Canal route, was rebuilt using specially made imperial bricks.
The original building comprised additions from different eras and uses.
1
A gap site left an undefined street edge.
2
The original bakery building featured an attractive curved brick wall.
3
The original Scotmid HQ.
4
The re-built brick wall.
8
Original Planning Drawing.
9
The re-instated board room.
10
