Edinburgh
5 Forres Street
Edinburgh, EH3 6DE
Glasgow
83a Candleriggs
Glasgow, G1 1LF
Manchester
11 York Street
Manchester, M2 2AW

VITA Student Residences

Continuing the regeneration of Fountainbridge

A view of a building from the water of the ship port that leads up to the entrance of the building. A building with the red text 'VITA' down the side with lots of people walking around the front of it. The front of the building has a small ship port.

Continuing our longstanding relationship with the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh, MLA’s Student residential development at 125a Fountainbridge for VITA Student provides 263 bedrooms of a high standard aimed at the postgraduate market.

  • Location Fountainbridge, Edinburgh
  • Client VITA Student
  • Status Complete
  • Services Architecture
  • Size 263 Bedrooms
  • Photography Alan McAteer
An end elevation of building with red 'VITA' text down the side, situated on the road so cars an parked on the curb nearby.

Context

This project provides postgraduate student accommodation on the site of a dilapidated former Edwardian cinema by the Union Canal in Fountainbridge.

A closed down building with graffiti and dirt on it.

The once famous & grand Palais de Dance had fallen into disrepair.

A ground perspective of the 'VITA' building with the sun capturing the front of it.

The building completes the terminus of the Union Canal.

This unique, mixed use development provides high quality student residences with hub facilities, commercial & leisure uses at ground floor level.

A study area with 4 long tables with 6 chairs at each, many people are working with their laptops in this area. the tables are on a carpet while the rest of the area has oak flooring.

High quality areas for shared studies.

An eating area with stools and a table to sit at. there are also leather chairs and a pool table. The main light in the room is the overhead lamp at the table.

A focus was put on facilities for socialising.

A large communal space with blue couches which contrast the yellow cushions and lights and painting. There is am oak flooring.

Plenty of space for relaxing.

A gym with rowing machines, spin bikes, and punching bags. The machines are on a grey solid floor and green felt flooring is used to create friction for certain exercises.

High quality facilities include a gym.

The design provides a visual terminus to the Union Canal, completing the public realm around Lochrin Basin and creating a new focal building of high architectural quality which responds to the urban typology and development brief established by the City of Edinburgh Council.

A view of a building from the water of the ship port that leads up to the entrance of the building.

The massing of the blocks fronting the canal have been carefully designed to maintain existing views to the castle from the canal, whilst the busy hub and leisure areas are focussed at ground floor to promote activity around the street and canal side areas.

A view of a building from ground level with red 'VITA' text, the building has a base of white support bars with brick walls and windows framed by black steel.
A communal space with leather couches, a long table, and overhead lighting over the tables.
A reception area with sliding doors at the entrance, with a colourful mural on the wall of a man as you walk in.
The interior of a room with an oven, sink top, fridge, and a worktop with two stools. There is also a door opening up to a juliet balcony.
A bedroom with a bed, a desk, a television, kitchen facilities and a door opening out onto a juliet balcony. The interior is washed grey oak flooring and dark grey and white walls.
A bathroom with a shower, toilet, sink and mirror with a frosted glass door and grey tile flooring.
An end elevation of building with red 'VITA' text down the side, situated on the road so cars an parked on the curb nearby. 1
A closed down building with graffiti and dirt on it.

The once famous & grand Palais de Dance had fallen into disrepair.

2
A ground perspective of the 'VITA' building with the sun capturing the front of it.

The building completes the terminus of the Union Canal.

3
A study area with 4 long tables with 6 chairs at each, many people are working with their laptops in this area. the tables are on a carpet while the rest of the area has oak flooring.

High quality areas for shared studies.

4
An eating area with stools and a table to sit at. there are also leather chairs and a pool table. The main light in the room is the overhead lamp at the table.

A focus was put on facilities for socialising.

5
A large communal space with blue couches which contrast the yellow cushions and lights and painting. There is am oak flooring.

Plenty of space for relaxing.

6
A gym with rowing machines, spin bikes, and punching bags. The machines are on a grey solid floor and green felt flooring is used to create friction for certain exercises.

High quality facilities include a gym.

7
A view of a building from the water of the ship port that leads up to the entrance of the building. 8
A view of a building from ground level with red 'VITA' text, the building has a base of white support bars with brick walls and windows framed by black steel. 9
10
A communal space with leather couches, a long table, and overhead lighting over the tables. 11
A reception area with sliding doors at the entrance, with a colourful mural on the wall of a man as you walk in. 12
The interior of a room with an oven, sink top, fridge, and a worktop with two stools. There is also a door opening up to a juliet balcony. 13
A bedroom with a bed, a desk, a television, kitchen facilities and a door opening out onto a juliet balcony. The interior is washed grey oak flooring and dark grey and white walls. 14
A bathroom with a shower, toilet, sink and mirror with a frosted glass door and grey tile flooring. 15

Related projects

Shore Station

Former Tynecastle High School

View all projects
Cookies and privacy

This website uses cookies. You can read more about this on our privacy page.