Working on what is viewed as one of Edinburgh’s most iconic Category B listed Victorian pools, Sharkey will carry out a phased programme of works to rejuvenate Leith Victoria’s Renaissance style architecture whilst also adding sensitive interventions to bring the facility up to the standards expected in a modern fitness centre.

We are delighted to be continuing our successful partnership with Edinburgh Leisure, with this appointment following similar recent projects at Gracemount, Drumbrae and Dalry Leisure Centres.

Whilst Marie Curie continue to support people living with terminal illness in the local community, Sharkey will carry out an extensive programme of refurbishment and modernisation works at the critical community facility including extensive alterations to the buildings M&E infrastructure.

Ensuring the hospice remains fully operational throughout all stages of the works is a key part of the multi-phased project and will see Sharkey work in partnership with Marie Curie to ensure zero disruption is caused to patients, staff or visitors.

The £2.1m project, for IQ Student Accommodation, involves the adaptation of a Category A-listed townhouse designed in 1820 by WH Playfair as part of Edinburgh’s Eastern New Town.  The building, which extends over six floors, will undergo structural alterations to create links to IQ’s existing accommodation in the adjoining Elliott House.

The 32-week construction programme will also entail sympathetic internal remodelling to create 14 student living units, communal space, study areas, a fitness facility and staff offices.  Overall capacity will be increased by 20% and the works will also improve accessibility for disabled users in both buildings.

This appointment further enhances our reputation in this fast-growing sector.  It adds to a portfolio of work that stretches from the recently completed £7.5m refurbishment project at Holland House for the University of Edinburgh, to a £5m student accommodation project currently on site in central London, where we are managing the refurbishment of the iconic William Booth College, designed by renowned architect Giles Gilbert Scott.

A number of existing features including ornate cast iron structural frames and vaulted brick ceilings were painstakingly restored to their original condition while other components such as windows and roof coverings were sympathetically renewed in line with the building’s listed status.

Incorporating and exposing these features in combination with modern elements such as exposed M&E services has created a stunning aesthetic that is both appropriate to a chic, modern hotel and accurately reflective of the building’s industrial heritage. As a measure of the project’s success, within weeks of its opening, Hotel Indigo received the accolade of Scotland’s best hotel in the Sunday Times definitive guide.