Quartermile
Encyclopedia
Quartermile is the marketing name given to the mixed use
redevelopment of the 19 acres (7.7 ha) former Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh site, in Lauriston
, Edinburgh
, overlooking The Meadows
. The project is a joint venture between Gladedale Group and the Bank of Scotland
. The scheme comprises a mixture of new build apartment
s, apartments converted from the existing hospital buildings, new build office
s, affordable housing
, and retail
/leisure
uses.
Foster and Partners
are the architects for the new build apartments and offices. The former hospital buildings, primarily by architect David Bryce
are being converted by CDA. The former surgical building was at one stage intended to become a 5 star
hotel
, designed by Richard Murphy
architects, but no operator was found to run the hotel, and is consequently now intended for conversion to apartments. Richard Murphy architects are still however involved with the site, as they are set to design the affordable housing.
Many of the existing hospital buildings were demolished to make way for the new buildings, which has caused some anger amongst architectural conservation
groups. There have even been suggestions in the press that the impact of the development could cause Edinburgh to lose its World Heritage Site
status, however this has been vigorously denied by City of Edinburgh council.
Mixed-use development
Mixed-use development is the use of a building, set of buildings, or neighborhood for more than one purpose. Since the 1920s, zoning in some countries has required uses to be separated. However, when jobs, housing, and commercial activities are located close together, a community's transportation...
redevelopment of the 19 acres (7.7 ha) former Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh site, in Lauriston
Lauriston
Lauriston is an area of central Edinburgh, Scotland. The former location of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the area is undergoing a major re-development known as Quartermile...
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, overlooking The Meadows
The Meadows (park)
The Meadows is a large public park in Edinburgh, Scotland, just to the south of the city centre. Largely consisting of wide open grassland crossed by tree-lined paths, the park also has a children's playground, a croquet club, tennis courts and cricket pitches...
. The project is a joint venture between Gladedale Group and the Bank of Scotland
Bank of Scotland
The Bank of Scotland plc is a commercial and clearing bank based in Edinburgh, Scotland. With a history dating to the 17th century, it is the second oldest surviving bank in what is now the United Kingdom, and is the only commercial institution created by the Parliament of Scotland to...
. The scheme comprises a mixture of new build apartment
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
s, apartments converted from the existing hospital buildings, new build office
Office
An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the...
s, affordable housing
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed "affordable" to those that have a median income. Although the term is often applied to rental housing that is within the financial means of those in the lower income ranges of a geographical area, the...
, and retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
/leisure
Leisure
Leisure, or free time, is time spent away from business, work, and domestic chores. It is also the periods of time before or after necessary activities such as eating, sleeping and, where it is compulsory, education....
uses.
Foster and Partners
Foster and Partners
Foster + Partners is an architectural firm based in London. The practice is led by its founder and Chairman, Norman Foster, and has constructed many high-profile glass-and-steel buildings....
are the architects for the new build apartments and offices. The former hospital buildings, primarily by architect David Bryce
David Bryce
David Bryce FRSE FRIBA RSA was a Scottish architect. Born in Edinburgh, he was educated at the Royal High School and joined the office of architect William Burn in 1825, aged 22. By 1841, Bryce had risen to be Burn's partner...
are being converted by CDA. The former surgical building was at one stage intended to become a 5 star
Star (classification)
Stars are often used as symbols for classification purposes. They are used by reviewers for ranking things such as movies, TV shows, restaurants, and hotels. For example, one to five stars is commonly employed to categorize hotels.-Restaurant ratings:...
hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
, designed by Richard Murphy
Richard Murphy (architect)
Richard Murphy OBE is an architect based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and principal architect in Richard Murphy Architects.-History:Murphy was educated at Newcastle and Edinburgh Universities, and has taught at the latter. He formed his practice in 1991, which has since grown to over twenty architects,...
architects, but no operator was found to run the hotel, and is consequently now intended for conversion to apartments. Richard Murphy architects are still however involved with the site, as they are set to design the affordable housing.
Many of the existing hospital buildings were demolished to make way for the new buildings, which has caused some anger amongst architectural conservation
Architectural conservation
Architectural conservation describes the process through which the material, historical, and design integrity of mankind's built heritage are prolonged through carefully planned interventions. The individual engaged in this pursuit is known as an architectural conservator...
groups. There have even been suggestions in the press that the impact of the development could cause Edinburgh to lose its World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
status, however this has been vigorously denied by City of Edinburgh council.