Work is expected to start this summer at the former Royal Bank of Scotland site in Dundas Street in Edinburgh's New Town. Developers Ediston currently have planning permission for around 350 new homes - a mix of build-to-rent, private residential and mid-market rent - as well as office space. But last year they lodged a fresh application to change the build-to-rent element to purpose-built student accommodation - which would be developed, owned and managed by Fusion Group - and change the office building to more homes. Ediston are still awaiting approval for the switch. But development director Ross McNulty said demolition of the former RBS buildings was completed in October 2024 and the site had been prepared for construction works to proceed. "We are in the final stages of procuring a contractor to start the approved residential buildings opposite Royal Crescent and Fettes Row, and look forward to seeing site activity commence in the summer months.”Work is expected to start this summer at the former Royal Bank of Scotland site in Dundas Street in Edinburgh's New Town. Developers Ediston currently have planning permission for around 350 new homes - a mix of build-to-rent, private residential and mid-market rent - as well as office space. But last year they lodged a fresh application to change the build-to-rent element to purpose-built student accommodation - which would be developed, owned and managed by Fusion Group - and change the office building to more homes. Ediston are still awaiting approval for the switch. But development director Ross McNulty said demolition of the former RBS buildings was completed in October 2024 and the site had been prepared for construction works to proceed. "We are in the final stages of procuring a contractor to start the approved residential buildings opposite Royal Crescent and Fettes Row, and look forward to seeing site activity commence in the summer months.”
Work is expected to start this summer at the former Royal Bank of Scotland site in Dundas Street in Edinburgh's New Town. Developers Ediston currently have planning permission for around 350 new homes - a mix of build-to-rent, private residential and mid-market rent - as well as office space. But last year they lodged a fresh application to change the build-to-rent element to purpose-built student accommodation - which would be developed, owned and managed by Fusion Group - and change the office building to more homes. Ediston are still awaiting approval for the switch. But development director Ross McNulty said demolition of the former RBS buildings was completed in October 2024 and the site had been prepared for construction works to proceed. "We are in the final stages of procuring a contractor to start the approved residential buildings opposite Royal Crescent and Fettes Row, and look forward to seeing site activity commence in the summer months.” | TSPL

Edinburgh construction and restoration projects: What's going on behind the scaffolding?

By Ian Swanson
Published 14th Apr 2025, 16:39 BST
Updated 15th Apr 2025, 09:17 BST

There always seem to be lots of major projects on the go in Edinburgh, whether it’s old offices being converted into hotels, key roads undergoing major works or new housing developments springing up.

The fences, cranes and machinery will be seen by hundreds or thousands of people every day. But how much do we know about what’s taking shape behind the scaffolding or other side of the hoardings?

There’s the hotel on George IV Bridge which has been shrouded in scaffolding for five years, the long-running question of the old Royal High School and changes to the plans for the former Royal Bank of Scotland site in Dundas Street.

Here is a round-up of 10 city-centre construction and restoration projects, what’s going on and when they might be finished.

The developments on Princes Street are so numerous we have compiled a separate look at these.

Construction work is expected to start soon on Edinburgh's first new city-centre concert venue for more than a century. The site, behind the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters in St Andrew Square has been cleared. A switch of contractors last year has meant slight slippage in the opening date from the end of 2028 to the start of 2029. A spokesperson said: "With main construction now in sight, we are looking forward to beginning work on this landmark project which will provide a vibrant, creative hub for audiences and artists in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond, and will have lasting impact for generations to come."

5. Dunard Centre

Construction work is expected to start soon on Edinburgh's first new city-centre concert venue for more than a century. The site, behind the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters in St Andrew Square has been cleared. A switch of contractors last year has meant slight slippage in the opening date from the end of 2028 to the start of 2029. A spokesperson said: "With main construction now in sight, we are looking forward to beginning work on this landmark project which will provide a vibrant, creative hub for audiences and artists in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond, and will have lasting impact for generations to come." | TSPL

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It opened as the Missoni hotel in 2009 on the site of the demolished former Lothian Regional Council offices on George IV Bridge. Now known as a Radisson Collection hotel, scaffolding went up around the building in 2020 for a renovation project due to be completed the same year. But an investigation found "several complex issues that needed to be addressed" and five years later, the scaffolding is still there. When the council raised concerns, owners Aberdeen Asset Management said it would be coming down in stages this year, with the first stage due in February, but that didn't happen. Meanwhile, neighbouring shopkeepers complain the project is blighting the area.

6. Radisson Collection hotel, George IV Bridge

It opened as the Missoni hotel in 2009 on the site of the demolished former Lothian Regional Council offices on George IV Bridge. Now known as a Radisson Collection hotel, scaffolding went up around the building in 2020 for a renovation project due to be completed the same year. But an investigation found "several complex issues that needed to be addressed" and five years later, the scaffolding is still there. When the council raised concerns, owners Aberdeen Asset Management said it would be coming down in stages this year, with the first stage due in February, but that didn't happen. Meanwhile, neighbouring shopkeepers complain the project is blighting the area. | TSPL

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The red sandstone building on the corner of St Andrew Square and North St Andrew Street is shrouded in scaffolding as the one-time headquarters of the Scottish Equitable Life Assurance Company are turned into a 167-bedroom four-star hotel. Irish hotel group Dalata say the hotel, which will operate under the Clayton Hotel brand, will not only cater for visitors to the city, but also for local businesses through the provision of meeting rooms and workspaces. The hotel is due to be completed by mid-2026.

7. Clayton hotel, St Andrew Square

The red sandstone building on the corner of St Andrew Square and North St Andrew Street is shrouded in scaffolding as the one-time headquarters of the Scottish Equitable Life Assurance Company are turned into a 167-bedroom four-star hotel. Irish hotel group Dalata say the hotel, which will operate under the Clayton Hotel brand, will not only cater for visitors to the city, but also for local businesses through the provision of meeting rooms and workspaces. The hotel is due to be completed by mid-2026. | TSPL

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A 267-bed student accommodation development is taking shape at the corner of Calton Road with Sibbald Walk as part of the £240m New Waverley regeneration project. The site was part of the former New Street bus depot. The development - consisting of 207 studio beds and 60 cluster bedrooms, along with gym, social and study spaces - is for Vita Student, which already has purpose-built student accommodation in Fountainbridge and Leith. It also includes three townhouses for affordable housing. It is scheduled for practical completion in summer 2026.

8. Student accommodation, Calton Road

A 267-bed student accommodation development is taking shape at the corner of Calton Road with Sibbald Walk as part of the £240m New Waverley regeneration project. The site was part of the former New Street bus depot. The development - consisting of 207 studio beds and 60 cluster bedrooms, along with gym, social and study spaces - is for Vita Student, which already has purpose-built student accommodation in Fountainbridge and Leith. It also includes three townhouses for affordable housing. It is scheduled for practical completion in summer 2026. | TSPL

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