Ladywell House
CLIENT:
Elite Cask Limited
STAGE:
RIBA 2 / Pre-application Advice
CITY:
Edinburgh
Located approximately four miles west of Edinburgh city centre, Ladywell House occupies a prominent and well-connected site within the established, leafy suburb of Corstorphine. The site presents a valuable opportunity for sensitive residential regeneration that responds positively to its urban context.
A series of feasibility studies have been undertaken, exploring both mainstream residential and later-living models, ensuring the site’s development potential has been carefully tested in line with National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the emerging Edinburgh City Plan 2030. These studies demonstrate the site’s capacity to support compact urban growth, efficient land use, and the delivery of high-quality, sustainable homes in an accessible location.
The emerging masterplan is composed of three complementary elements:
A four-storey apartment building fronting Ladywell Road
A five-storey residential block positioned toward the southern portion of the site
A terrace of nine three-storey townhouses
Together, these elements could deliver up to 77 new homes, providing a balanced mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and family housing, including the potential for a meaningful proportion of affordable homes.
The architectural approach draws on the character of the original Ladywell House, reinterpreting its massing and distinctive mansard roof form to create a sense of continuity and place. Contemporary articulations, including balconies and private roof terraces, introduce a modern residential identity. The townhouses adopt the same material palette and design language, ensuring a cohesive development across the site.
At the heart of the proposals are two landscaped communal green spaces, designed to encourage social interaction, play, and shared use. These spaces support the creation of a welcoming, inclusive residential environment and reflect NPF4’s emphasis on healthy, liveable places and strong community connections.
This project involved a number of options, including viability study of adaptive re-use of the existing buildings. A new building option was developed and submitted to CEC for pre-application advice with support from CBRE and Knight Frank.
