Residential space
Regeneration of industrial space into much needed homes for local residents.
Drum completed the construction of 110 new build-to-rent apartments at Stead’s Place in the summer of 2025, marking a major milestone in the transformation of one of Leith Walk’s most prominent sites.
Delivered on behalf of Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management, the development is part of Drum’s wider regeneration of the 2.9-acre site, which had been earmarked for redevelopment by the City of Edinburgh Council since 2008.
After extensive community engagement and consultation, planning permission was granted in 2021, paving the way for significant new investment into a previously neglected part of the city. The site had consisted of a largely derelict industrial estate and office space, alongside the historic two-storey red sandstone building that fronts Leith Walk.
Following its sensitive refurbishment, The Red Sandstone parade is now fully let to a vibrant mix of artisan and national retailers, restaurants, and one of Edinburgh’s most popular live music venues, whilst the office spaces upstairs is home to a variety of diverse small businesses.
The new residential element includes a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments set within landscaped grounds – opening up and restoring the pedestrian link between Leith Walk and Pilrig Park.
The completion of the new apartments marks the final phase of Drum’s regeneration of Stead’s Place. Together with the thriving Red Sandstone building, these new homes breathe life back into a long-overlooked site – supporting local businesses, strengthening the community and delivering high-quality housing where it is needed most.
The conclusion of Drum’s involvement in the Stead’s Place project represents the culmination of extensive research, planning and community engagement since acquiring the site in 2017, and represents a complete turnaround of local sentiment and support for the scheme, with Drum working in partnership with local community groups to ensure mutually beneficial objectives for the development were met. The consented proposal follows a comprehensive consultation programme with the local residential, community groups and business community, with almost three-quarters of those consulted either supportive or neutral about the revised plans. The refurbishment was completed in 2022.
An additional 38 affordable homes will be developed on site in 2026 by Hillcrest Homes, a registered social landlord.
