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The Metro is an imposing building set in the heart of thriving Leith, home to a contemporary development of 24 designer Smart Flats, incorporating with 2-bed and 3-bed apartments. The contemporary design creates a striking contrast to this otherwise traditional area.

Opportunity

Very few new private homes within Edinburgh are built at the agreed “affordable” price band but the City Council usually requires 25% of a development to be affordable. It was vital to provide a new product to the private market that more than meets this criteria, combined with the necessity to provide all amenities despite space being at a premium.

Solution

Using modular construction and the ability to build upwards, the Metro is a new concept in Smart Flats that well exceeds the “affordable” criteria with its clever and dynamic design. It offers a separate bedroom zone to the living room as well all necessary living requirements – kitchen, shower-room and storage, all within 400 sq. ft.

Outcome

Ballantynes, a local marketing agent, firmly believe this concept is a most viable way forward for city centre private living.

We consider that this design should be utilised as a template, across the city in appropriate locations, and used to demonstrate how developers are now reconsidering the ability to build a unique product in order to meet this growing demand.