The redevelopment of the former Meggetland Playing Fields, acquired from The City of Edinburgh Council, delivered a comprehensive transformation of a significant sporting and residential site into a modern, multi-use destination.

The scheme included the creation of a new clubhouse for Boroughmuir Rugby Club, alongside a new spectator stand, upgraded changing facilities, and a reinstated first XV rugby pitch. The wider playing fields were extensively enhanced to provide a suite of high-quality sporting infrastructure, including international standard hockey pitches, five-a-side facilities, full size football pitches, and a dedicated plant room to support maintenance vehicles and long-term operational management.

In parallel with the sporting improvements, the wider site was carefully masterplanned to maximise its residential potential. Half of the land was sold to Wimpey Homes, while the remainder was developed to provide 78 contemporary flatted dwellings served by a secure underground car park, delivering a successful balance of community sport, public amenity, and high-quality residential living within one cohesive development.

Residential Development, Edinburgh

Completed: 2009

The redevelopment of the former Meggetland Playing Fields represents one of Edinburgh’s most ambitious mixed use regeneration projects, successfully combining world class sporting facilities with contemporary residential architecture. Built alongside the new home of Boroughmuir Rugby Club and extensive community sports infrastructure, the residential element was carefully designed to create a distinctive landmark development that would complement its open green surroundings.

Comprising a collection of 96 contemporary apartments, duplex homes and penthouses, the architecture moves away from the traditional tenement style often associated with Edinburgh, instead embracing clean modern lines, strong geometric forms and an innovative mix of materials. Curved corner elements soften the massing of the buildings, while sweeping roof profiles create an instantly recognisable silhouette across the skyline.

The external elevations showcase a carefully balanced palette of premium materials, combining warm facing brickwork with natural timber cladding, crisp architectural blockwork and dark metal detailing. Extensive use of hardwood rainscreen cladding introduces warmth and texture, ageing gracefully over time while reinforcing the development’s modern character. Deep projecting balconies with glazed balustrades provide generous outdoor living spaces and maximise views across the surrounding playing fields and landscaped grounds.

A defining feature of the scheme is its generous glazing strategy. Large floor to ceiling windows and wide sliding patio doors flood the interiors with natural light, creating bright, open living spaces while strengthening the connection between the homes and the expansive green setting. The substantial glazed openings are framed in high performance powder coated aluminium, chosen for their durability, low maintenance requirements and excellent thermal performance.

Construction quality was a key priority throughout the development. The buildings were designed with robust cavity wall construction, enhanced acoustic separation between apartments and high levels of insulation, delivering comfortable and energy efficient homes that remain highly desirable many years after completion. Secure underground parking not only preserves the quality of the landscaped environment but also provides residents with a level of convenience and security more commonly associated with luxury city developments.

Internally, the apartments were designed around modern lifestyles, with spacious open plan living areas, well proportioned bedrooms and flexible duplex layouts that make the most of the building forms. Premium kitchens, contemporary bathrooms and carefully considered storage solutions combined to create homes that offered both style and practicality.

The overall result is a development that successfully balances bold contemporary architecture with timeless construction quality. More than fifteen years after completion, Meggetland continues to stand apart within Edinburgh’s residential landscape, its distinctive design, premium specification and exceptional setting ensuring it remains one of the city’s most sought after modern developments.