Bonnington Mill

PROJECT: Bonnington Mills

LOCATION: Newhaven Road, Edinburgh

CLIENT: Queensberry Properties/Port of Leith Housing Association

STATUS: Completed on site 2021

DESCRIPTION: Residential development of 49no. one, two and three bed flats, arranged over four and five storeys.

Bonnington Mills lies within a formerly industrial area of the city which has gradually been transformed to residential use during the last decade. Located next to the Water of Leith, the site was historically used as a paper mill and more recently for small commercial units. The development consists of three main blocks, two located next to the Water of Leith providing views up and down the river, while the third block addresses Newhaven Road. The development creates a courtyard in the centre of the site for car parking and access for servicing. Landscaped amenity space is concentrated next to the river, while a pedestrian/cycle path through the development gives direct access to the Water of Leith Walkway.

The flats were designed as simple orthogonal brick-clad forms, reflecting the character and materials of the historic bonded warehouses further downstream. All three blocks are clad in a buff coloured multi brick which was intended to give variety of colour and texture to the external walls. 

The project won the Scottish Homes Awards 2021 – Apartment Development of the Year.