February 21 2022

Property specialists Manse has teamed up with contractor J. Smart & Co to deliver a residential-led mixed-use development on a 0.89-hectare brownfield site at 24-25 Seafield Road East, Edinburgh.

EMA has been appointed to draw up plans for around 220 waterfront homes overlooking the Firth of Forth Estuary, building on an earlier public consultation.

Home to Marine Gardens at the turn of the last century the site has latterly hosted a series of car showrooms that turn their back to the water and a correspondingly bleak pedestrian promenade extending to Portobello.

In a statement EMA wrote: "An illustrative masterplan for the wider area has been produced to demonstrate how the new community at Seafield Road East might evolve over time.

"The masterplan proposed is seen as a tool to inform how this important land could grow in the future and evolve for present and future generation."

Intended to improve the setting for pedestrians and cyclists while mitigating noise from the main road the development will usher in a series of courtyards with the potential for green roofs and roof gardens in a new 'urban grid' composed of individual brick apartment blocks of between three and six storeys. 

6 Comments

#1 Posted by David Adam on 21 Feb 2022 at 19:13 PM

Seems like a bold move; at first I thought the article referred to “Manure Gardens “ and not Marine Gardens! Presumably gas masks will be thrown in with any purchase made.

#2 Posted by Stephen Martin on 22 Feb 2022 at 12:41 PM

From the main photo looking out to sea, you can see how high these buildings would be and how they are blocking the view out to sea from the existing homes. It looks like a Trump's wall along the beach.

#3 Posted by Craig Sanderson on 22 Feb 2022 at 12:55 PM

What proportion of the homes will be 'affordable'?
What proportion of 'affordable' housing will be social housing for rent?

#4 Posted by alibi on 22 Feb 2022 at 20:24 PM

I hope we don't repeat the Newhaven super-block errors of the early 2000s. This really needs careful thought - its a huge opportunity for the city.

#5 Posted by Bill S on 23 Feb 2022 at 13:55 PM

#1 you are somewhat correct - the images are all carefully cropped, but just to the west of this site lies Seafield Water Treatment Works. Gas masks may be required depending on which way the wind blows.

#2 You are also somewhat correct. My concern is that the key views are all north, and as the site is lower than the adjacent road, I think the blocks should be stepping down in height towards the sea. I think the overall massing is fine in principle, but the highest levels should be a few storeys lower. Look at the existing Kings Road terraced housing as an example of stepping down towards the sea.

#6 Posted by TheFakeArchitect on 23 Feb 2022 at 16:38 PM

It cant be that long until EMA have masterplanned the entire future universe.

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