PLANS for more than 160 new homes to be built on the site of the historic Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh have been submitted.
The brewery closed in 2022 after 153 years and 30 people lost their jobs.
The owners at the time, Heineken, had said the Victorian infrastructure at the plant meant it was no longer economically viable as production had fallen over the last decade.
Artisan Real Estate, who bought the brewery last year, has unveiled proposals to develop the historic building site into 168 new homes after a three-month public consultation wich started in February.
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The development proposal included plans to repurpose the old brewery buildings into a mixture of sustainable flats and houses.
The Caledonian Brewery was the capital’s last major brewery before its closure, and the Victorian building is a significant reminder of Edinburgh’s once extensive brewing heritage.
Known locally as The Calley, the brewery was best known for using traditional brewing methods and equipment – such as open square fermenters and original direct fired copper kettles.
Artisan’s Scottish regional director, David Westwater, has said the building company will do whatever is possible to respect and reflect the original footprint of the brewery.
Westwater also said the construction of the new homes will include restoring the top-floor skyline which was demolished following a fire 30 years ago.
He said: “The Caledonian Brewery was an important part of Edinburgh’s past – and now it has the potential to become an important part of the city’s future.
“We plan to create a much-needed sustainable, low-carbon residential community with around 170 homes providing a healthy mix of accommodation.
“This will include a mix of one, two, and three-bed apartments through to duplex units and mews houses, of which 35% will be affordable housing in line with the City of Edinburgh Council policy.”
He added: “From the start, the brewery’s unique heritage and character will govern our development approach.
“Around one-fifth of the homes will be housed in the existing listed buildings, which we will preserve and restore to their former glory.
“We will also, wherever possible, respect and reflect the original footprint of the brewery – including recreating the top-floor skyline of the maltings buildings which was demolished following a fire almost 30 years ago.”
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