Commendation for Best Apartment Building
LEITH MOTIF
Ronaldson's Wharf, Sandport Way, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6EL
Ronaldson's Wharf is a two-acre site on the Water of Leith, which was acquired by the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure the urban regeneration of an area that had remained derelict for many years. The site is flanked by large warehouses and tenements and incorporates a dry dock. In 1994, the city council joined with Lothian & Edinburgh Enterprise Limited and Scottish Homes to hold a three-stage architectural competition for the design of a flagship regeneration scheme for this important waterside site.
The competition was won in 1995 by Fraser Brown MacKenna Architects, but as is increasingly the case these days, they were responsible for the concept and project design, and Dignan Read Dewar Architects handled the design development. The £11-million scheme is a joint-venture development between Miller Homes and Cruden Homes, through their private limited company Miller Cruden, which is engaged in other developments in Edinburgh.
Phase One of the scheme was completed in October 2003 and provided 62 apartments for sale at prices from £89,000 to £330,000. Each apartment has been designed to make the most of the views of the Water of Leith from its private terraces - they are too large to be called balconies. The development uses quality materials such as cedar, aluminium cladding and steel, and has benefited from its attention to detailing, both internally and externally.
The proof of the pudding is in the public reaction. So popular was the development when it was launched that the developers did not have time to photograph any of the interiors. It has already won its first award this year, and the ultimate public endorsement comes from the estate agent appointed to re-sell one of the apartments - at a quick profit - who describes it as "a very attractive much admired residential development." Sadly that is not how most estate agents regard contemporary developments. In giving the scheme a commendation in this year's awards, against some very tough competition, the judges look forward to being able to assess the completed development in due course.
Homebuilder: MILLER CRUDEN LIMITED
Miller House, 18 South Groathill Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 2LW
Tel 0131 315 6254
Fax 0131 315 6315
Website: www.homes.miller.co.uk
Contact: Brendan McShane, Director.
Email: sesales@miller.co.uk
Architects:
FRASER BROWN MACKENNA ARCHITECTS
2 St John's Place, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 4NP
Tel 020 7251 0543
Fax 020 7251 0517
Website: www.fbmarchitects.com
Contact: Simon Fraser, Director.
Email: sf@fbmarchitects.com
3 Tolbooth Wynd, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6DN
Tel 0131 554 4434
Fax 0131 553 4608
Website: www.dignanreaddewar.co.uk
Contact: Pat Dignan or John Dewar, Partners.
Email: design@dignanreaddewar.co.uk