An artist’s impression of the proposed development

A corner of Edinburgh’s Canongate, once the site of a 17^th century Magdalene Asylum, is being turned into a new student residence.

The site at 179 Canongate is being transformed into a 76-unit student accommodation block, which is earmarked for completion by summer 2026, with students expected for the summer 2026/27 intake.

Located within the Old Town Conservation Area and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the project is carefully weaving together past and present.

From its origins as the Magdalene Asylum, through to gasworks and offices, the building will now enter a new chapter as purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), sensitively designed and engineered for 21st-century living.

Between the 1790s-1840s, the site was part of the Magdalene Asylum, a reformatory aimed at rehabilitating ‘fallen women’.

The buildings were demolished after the asylum was moved to the Gorgie area of the city in the 1840s.

The buildings currently standing, and those being incorporated into the new 179 Canongate development, formed part of the city’s New Street Gasworks complex which provided Edinburgh with fuel for cooking, heating, and lighting until its closure in 1906.

The buildings were then converted and used for offices in the late 20^th Century.

Local civil and conservation engineering expert, Will Rudd (Edinburgh), is playing a critical role in ensuring the transformation respects the historic character of the area by helping to preserve key elements of the site’s heritage, including the retention of historic boundary walls and a late 19th-century workshop building.

The project will transform the historic buildings currently on the site

The project is being delivered for S Harrison Developments in collaboration with architect, 3Dreid, and contractor, Clark Contracts.

Will Rudd has used cutting-edge 3D modelling and laser scanning technology to plan, verify, and adjust works to prevent structural surprises and allow the construction to move forward efficiently.

“Retaining parts of the original structures has been essential, not just for planning, but to honour the site’s history,” said Even Sorgjerd, director at Will Rudd (Edinburgh).

“It required an innovative combination of traditional conservation techniques and modern engineering.

“With parts of the site designated as historically significant, and an active sewer running beneath, the engineering solutions had to be both respectful and precise.

“A bespoke system of façade retention and underpinning was developed to preserve the structures during construction.

“These measures have allowed the steel frame of the new building to be constructed seamlessly around the retained elements.”

Gavin Jones, development director at S Harrison Developments, adds: “This project presented a unique opportunity to sensitively regenerate a historically-rich site in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

“Balancing the intricacies of conservation with the demands of high-quality, modern student living required a collaborative and carefully-considered approach.

“Will Rudd’s deep expertise in civil and conservation engineering has been instrumental in delivering solutions that protect and enhance the heritage of 179 Canongate, while enabling the creation of a purpose-built residence that contributes positively to the fabric of the city.”

Located close to the Canongate Kirk and Tolbooth, the new residence will contribute positively to the evolving streetscape of the Old Town, while offering new accommodation options for students in the city centre.