The development will transform a brownfield site within the Marchmont, Meadows and Bruntsfield Conservation Area into student accommodation, providing 124 bedrooms in a five-storey building. 

The student accommodation will deliver 112 cluster apartment bedrooms and 12 self-contained studio rooms measuring up to 16 square metres and 25 square metres respectively. Seven accessible bedrooms will also form part of the scheme.

Located roughly one mile south-west of Edinburgh city centre, the 0.23-hectare site  sits in a key position on Gillespie Crescent, situated close to Bruntsfield Links and The Meadows. At present, the site currently comprises an empty building and an associated car parking area.

The cluster apartments will include communal spaces as well as big, shared living and amenity areas.

The University of Edinburgh’s George Square campus and Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston campus are both roughly a 15-minute walking journey from the location. Haymarket Station is approximately an 18-minute walk from the site.

Gavin Douglas, from S Harrison, said: “Securing planning permission for 50 Gillespie Crescent is a significant milestone and brings forward an increasingly rare PBSA opportunity in this part of Edinburgh, making this a particularly compelling proposition.

“The site combines an outstanding location with excellent transport links, extensive local amenities and direct access to local open spaces. The approved scheme is designed to provide high-quality accommodation, creating an attractive, communal environment for students and a high-quality addition to the area.”

Douglas added: “With planning permission now secured, we plan to engage with PBSA developers, investors and operators looking to capitalise on the continued strength of Edinburgh’s student accommodation market.”

In Edinburgh, S Harrison has delivered hundreds of student bedrooms. The company’s delivery includes the recently completed East Newington Place development and another development at 179 Canongate, which will be completed before this student intake year.