Plans approved for 168 flats at old Edinburgh brewery

Developers have secured planning permission to build 168 flats on the former Caledonian Brewery site in Edinburgh.

The brewery closed in 2022 after 153 years, with the loss of 30 jobs. It was the last major brewery in the city.

Artisan Real Estate announced its takeover of the 1.9-acre site in December 2023.

The plans, approved by City of Edinburgh Council, will see the old brewery buildings repurposed to create a mix of sustainable flats and houses across the site.

David Westwater, Artisan’s managing director for Scotland, said it would preserve the site’s “unique heritage” while creating a “well-connected urban neighbourhood”.

He added: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to breathe new life into a complex and historically important city centre site, providing a high quality mix of new homes and affordable housing in line with the council’s policy to help tackle the city’s housing emergency.

“Artisan’s UK-wide expertise as a regeneration specialist will now deliver a sustainable new residential community in an accessible city centre location that will respect, preserve and enhance the rich history of the Caledonian Brewery.”

He said about one fifth of the new homes would be built within the existing buildings.

Plans also include recreating the skyline of the maltings buildings which was demolished following a fire almost 30 years ago.

The Caledonian was founded in 1869 by George Lorimer and Robert Clark. Most of the listed buildings on the site date from the late 19th to early 20th Century.

The existing brewhouse and maltings were built in 1892 following designs by Edinburgh architect Robert Hamilton Paterson.

Paterson also designed the Royal Scots War Memorial in the city’s St Giles Cathedral.

Heineken took over the operation of the brewery in 2008 after acquiring Scottish & Newcastle, but the company later said modernising the site was not financially viable.

After the closure in 2022, the drinks giant struck a deal to continue making the Caledonian Brewery’s main brands – Deuchars, Coast to Coast and Maltsmiths – at the Belhaven brewery in Dunbar.

Heineken invited bids for the site in 2022, and spokesperson said the company was pleased that planning permission had been granted for the new homes.