Plans submitted for Edinburgh Brewery transformation.

The residential-led transformation of the former Caledonian Brewery in Shandon is now one step closer to becoming a reality with the submission of a major planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council.

After a thorough three-month consultation programme, regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate has revealed plans to develop the historic brewery site into a sustainable, low-carbon residential development, providing 168 new homes.

Situated at the western edge of Edinburgh’s city centre, the Caledonian Brewery was the last major operational brewery in the capital before Heineken UK halted production and put the site up for sale in 2022. Established in 1869 by George Lorimer and Robert Clark, the brewery’s distinctive B-listed Victorian buildings serve as a vital reminder of the city’s rich brewing heritage.

Artisan announced its intention to acquire the 1.9-acre former brewery site in December last year. A public consultation programme was subsequently launched in February.

David Westwater, Artisan’s managing director for Scotland, expressed his delight at the submission of the planning application, stating, “Artisan’s development plans aim to honour, preserve, and narrate the story of the Caledonian Brewery. The feedback from our consultation events was overwhelmingly supportive and positive.”

“There was a notable and longstanding connection, particularly among local residents, to the historical brewery buildings that will be retained to serve as the focal point of our new development – including the striking 130-ft red brick chimney that looms over the local community. We aim to preserve and celebrate as much of the brewery’s unique heritage as possible, including marking the location of the original springs on-site that once supplied fresh water for the brewing process.”

“There was also significant backing for our vision to establish a much-needed sustainable, low-carbon residential community on the site, with 168 homes offering a diverse array of accommodation options. This will encompass one, two, and three-bedroom family apartments, duplex units, and mews houses, alongside affordable housing in accordance with City of Edinburgh Council policy.”

Mr. Westwater further added, “Artisan’s proposals for the Caledonian Brewery have garnered extensive support from the local business community, with 75% of approximately 30 neighbouring businesses endorsing the plans to bring new investment, interest, and residents into the area, given the brewery site has remained inactive and unused for the past 18 months.”

Past projects by Artisan Real Estate include the New Waverley mixed-use development in Edinburgh’s Old Town and the transformation of Glasgow’s historic A-Listed Custom House into a bustling hotel quarter.

The unique heritage and character of the Caledonian Brewery will guide Artisan’s development strategy. Roughly one-fifth of the homes will be housed within the existing listed buildings, which will be preserved and repurposed. Additional developments will honour and emulate the original brewery layout, including reconstructing the skyline of the malting buildings that were lost to a fire nearly 30 years ago.

Many of the listed buildings on the site date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, constructed using distinct red brick with white brick accents. The brewhouse and maltings were erected in 1892 based on designs by celebrated Edinburgh architect Robert Hamilton Paterson, who also designed the Royal Scots War Memorial at St Giles Cathedral.

The brewery currently houses a significant amount of brewing equipment, including the last remaining direct-fired ‘coppers’ in the UK, which have attracted interest from independent breweries worldwide. As part of the redevelopment plans, Artisan aims to repurpose as much of the internal equipment as possible, ensuring the Caledonian Brewery’s substantial technical legacy continues to influence the global brewing industry today.