Alumno have commissioned Stallan-Brand architects to develop proposals for a new purpose built, high quality student accommodation building at the site located on the corner of London Road, and Restalrig Road South, in the Jocks Lodge area of Edinburgh. The proposals outlined look to provide circa 175 rooms, a combination of cluster bedrooms with shared kitchens and studio rooms, and a vibrant range of amenity spaces in the form of common and study rooms, external courtyard and rooftop winter gardens with fantastic views across the city, with ground floor retail area fronting London Road

There is opportunity to improve the pedestrian environment with a combination of commercial space, communal student spaces and the main entrances to the building. There may even be the possibility of providing a community pub on the ground floor.

This portion of London Road is undergoing significant changes with three 8 storey residential blocks in development establishing a new defined edge to the west of the site. Our proposal endeavours to be mindful of this but cognisant of the southern edge of London Road adjacent. The proposals look to align with the buildings across the street but step up to emphasise and make a feature of the corner.

The emerging idea is of two interlocking wings, softened by a facade that curves away at London Road. The playful composition nods to the characterful neighbours, and acts as a transition from the more rigorous approach taken on the street elevations fronting bedrooms.

On appeal in December 2023 the Scottish Government Reporter gave Alumno the green light for this scheme, Alumno were very grateful for all the support from all the consultants involved in the scheme, and look forward to getting started on site.