Development Edinburgh

**Graham** · 08-16-2014, 02:23 PM

SCOTSMAN 14 AUGUST 2014

The first rails have been laid on the Borders Railway, which is now just over a year away from re-opening after a gap of 46 years.

Network Rail hailed the laying of track in Bowshank tunnel, near Galashiels, as a “major construction milestone” in the £350 million project.

It involved a 25-strong team laying concrete on the northbound section of the track through the 200-metre long tunnel.

The southbound track will be completed within weeks.

Concrete - or “slab” - track is being used in the tunnel rather than the traditional ballast (stones) to support the rails because of its limited headroom.

This will leave space so overhead wires can be installed in the future so electric trains could run on the 35-mile line between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, south of Galashiels.

A special rail installation machine will be used this autumn to lay track over the rest of the 30 miles of new line south from where the route currently ends at Newcraighall, on Edinburgh’s south eastern edge.

The line is due to be complete in June next year, with passenger trains starting in September following driver training.

Network Rail project director Hugh Wark said: “Laying the slab track is an essential part of the preparation works ahead of the track laying taking place in the autumn.

“With just over a year to go until the first trains start running, we are looking forward to marking many more exciting milestones over the coming weeks and months as we move closer towards completion of the new line.”

The route - which continued to Carlisle - closed in 1969 in one of the most notorious of the Beeching cuts, to slim down the network to reduce its losses.

**Graham** · 10-26-2014, 01:31 AM

Fountainbridge apart-hotel goes in for planning

Urban Realm - 30th September, 2014

Quote:

Apart-hotel chain Urban Villa has submitted plans for a 176 room canalside hotel designed by Grzywinski + Pons Architects and Michael Laird to slot into a wider master plan for the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh.

The champagne cladding and grey brick build is defined by faceted balcony spaces along its southern façade to maximise light and will cut a new pedestrian route from Fountainbridge to the Union canal. Al fresco dining will be offered alongside the latter with a series of loggias offering onward connections.

In their design statement Grzywinski + Pons wrote: “With considerable frontage on the canal, we wanted the structure to define and animate the waterway’s edge while encouraging access to it from points north. The predominantly glazed, double height lobby at grade protects visual access to the water’s edge even while occupying the area with convivial use both inside and outside the building.

“In the cooler months when sunlight is at a premium the low declination of the sun allows penetration deep into the guest rooms while the inverse is true on long summer days.”

A fine stainless steel mesh is positioned over the façade to serve as fall protection whilst maintaining views.

**Graham** · 10-26-2014, 01:33 AM

St Columba’s Hospice prepares to open its doors

Urban Realm - 15th April, 2014

Work to put the finishing touches to a new £26m ward block for St Columba’s Hospice is currently underway by Graham Construction in readiness for welcoming its first patients next month.

The split level extension provides 18 brighter and airier rooms, each opening out onto its own balcony or private courtyard, with connecting glass corridors opening up views of the grade B listed Challenger Lodge, which continues to house the hospice’s administration.

Designed by Jane Darbyshire & David Kendall architects the scheme provides space for up to 30 patients the wards are surrounded by extensive areas of landscaping with views out to the Pentland hills and Firth of Forth.

In a statement the Hospice said: “Staff at St Columba’s Hospice are working hard to ensure that the move back to Boswall Road to be ready to receive our first patients in May goes smoothly. They are all looking forward to having a wonderful new building which will allow the Hospice to continue to provide the highest quality of specialist palliative care to Edinburgh and the Lothians.”

Built on the footprint of a 1970s extension which was no longer fit for purpose the care unit incorporates a number of features from the original building; including a stained glass window, stone fountain and three Celtic stones.

**Graham** · 10-26-2014, 01:37 AM

**Graham** · 10-26-2014, 01:43 AM

New Town youth hostel opens its doors

Urban Realm - 6th October, 2014

Blackhall Developments has unveiled a 30 bed youth hostel on Rose Street Lane in Edinburgh’s New Town world heritage site.

The £400k scheme involved the Staran Architects led conversion of a red brick 19th century warehouse which had lain derelict for over 20 years prior to being purchased by Dundee-based developer DS Landsburgh.

Blackhall MD Ross Young commented: “Our brief was to provide a complete re-model from top to bottom, including removing the roof and creating a new top floor with roof terrace.

“Our client managed to acquire an extra piece of land which was crucial to making the project viable. We were able to form a new entrance foyer construct a new internal staircase and retain a rustic and industrial look.”

Blackhall have also recently completed a development of 10 apartments for short term let within the A-listed Scotsman Buildings, North Bridge.