Former Caledonian Brewery Site Set to Host Housing Development

The former Caledonian Brewery site is undergoing a transformation, transitioning into a housing development. This repurposing marks a significant shift for the iconic location, signaling new prospects for the area's future while honoring its rich historical legacy as a renowned brewery site.

A proposal for 168 new residences has been filed for the location of Edinburgh's historic Caledonian Brewery. The brewery ceased operations in 2022 after operating for 153 years, resulting in the termination of 30 positions. It was Edinburgh's final large-scale brewery. Heineken, its owner, attributed the closure to the Victorian infrastructure at the facility, stating that declining production rendered it economically unfeasible over the past decade.

In December, Artisan Real Estate revealed its acquisition of the 1.9-acre site. Their development scheme entails repurposing the former brewery structures and introducing a blend of environmentally friendly apartments and houses throughout the premises.

The development proposal involves repurposing the historic brewery structures and introducing a combination of eco-friendly apartments and houses across the property. Founded in 1869 by George Lorimer and Robert Clark, the Caledonian Brewery site features listed buildings primarily from the late 19th to early 20th century. Notably, the brewhouse and maltings, constructed in 1892, were designed by Edinburgh architect Robert Hamilton Paterson, known for his work on the Royal Scots War Memorial in St Giles Cathedral.

In 2008, Heineken assumed control of the brewery following its acquisition of Scottish & Newcastle. However, the company deemed modernizing the site economically unfeasible. Subsequently, after its closure in 2022, the beverage conglomerate reached an agreement to produce the main brands of the Caledonian Brewery—Deuchars, Coast to Coast, and Maltsmiths—at the Belhaven brewery in Dunbar.

The site was listed for sale in October of last year. David Westwater, Artisan's managing director for Scotland, indicated that the envisioned new residences would comprise a variety of one, two, or three-bedroom apartments and houses.

Approximately one fifth of the residences will be constructed within the existing listed buildings, which will be safeguarded and repurposed. Mr. Westwater acknowledged the sentimental attachment locals have towards the brewery structures, stating, "We aim to preserve and honor as much of the brewery’s distinctive heritage as possible, including commemorating the location of the two original springs on-site, which initially supplied fresh water for the brewing process."

Further development plans will honor the original layout of the brewery, with intentions to recreate the skyline of the maltings building, which was destroyed by fire nearly three decades ago. The brewery still retains a significant amount of brewing equipment, including the last remaining direct-fired copper brewing tanks in use in the UK. These tanks will be "upcycled" and distributed to independent breweries.

Source: BBC