Community hub plans announced for the north of Edinburgh
A REGENERATION of the north of Edinburgh has taken a step further, with plans announced for a ‘community hub’ that will play host to children’s activities and the arts.
The plans, which have just been submitted, are for designs by local, well-known architecture practice, Richard Murphy Architects.
The hub has been lined up to be located in the Muirhouse area of the capital. Specifically, MacMillan Square.
Says an announcement (here) from the local authority, which is spearheading the regeneration: “… hub will be a place to learn, work, meet people, learn new skills and have fun.
“The state-of-the-art building will accommodate an early years centre for 185 children, a new library and will provide additional space for North Edinburgh Arts and will ensure that it continues to be at the centre of a creative, connected and inspired community.”
The announcement continues: “Over £200 million of public and private sector investment has been committed to revitalising the area for the wider community and this investment has already delivered Craigroyston High School, Pennywell All Care Centre and over half of the expected 1,000 new homes.
“The North Edinburgh Regeneration project is recognised as a model of good practice in urban regeneration having won national awards for design, place making and community engagement.
“Complementing the council’s new library, early years centre and affordable housing, the new hub will see arts and learning brought together under one roof in a striking new building offering the community in north Edinburgh an extensive range of services.
“This will include new enterprise, workshop, learning and creative studio space, alongside an expanded café, youth area and shared atrium.
“Allowing for further design and procurement, construction is expected to start in early 2022 to complete mid-2023. Prior to this, enabling works will be carried out onsite including the demolition of the existing library.”
Picture credit: Richard Murphy Architects