Work begins on Edinburgh community hub

Work has begun on a new project that will turn the derelict Granton Station into a community hub for residents in Edinburgh. 

The railway station served the district of Granton from 1846, but it closed in 1942 and has been largely disused since. 

The Edwardian B-listed building will now become a community hub with high-quality creative workspace. The derelict land in front of the building will also become a public square for community events and recreation. 

The project is part-funded through the Scottish government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and the Town Centre Fund.

The site is part of the larger Granton Waterfront project, the plan is to deliver 3,500 new zero-carbon homes, business start-up space, a coastal park and key services including a school and health centre. 

Cllr Cammy Day, deputy leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: ‘I’m pleased to see work starting now as the wider Granton Waterfront project is really taking off.

‘We’ve already got three affordable housing sites underway and the former gasholder is illuminated now as a beacon of light for the project for everyone visiting the area to see. This is shaping up to be one of Scotland’s leading sustainable new districts and being built at the Waterfront it really will be another fantastic place to live, work and visit in Edinburgh.

‘We’re speaking to the local community every step of the way on the Granton Waterfront regeneration and we’ve just finished consulting on a new name for the new public square outside the former station, which we’ll be announcing shortly.’

Cllr Adam McVey, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, added: ‘It’s great to see work starting to bring this much loved Edwardian building back to life to serve the community it’s central to once again.

‘The former Granton Station has a rich industrial heritage which we’re going to display on the site hoardings while work continues. The project will provide a number of jobs while construction is ongoing and the future new enterprise will generate valuable quality local employment opportunities for Edinburgh.’

Photo Credit – Edinburgh City Council