Fairhurst was engaged by Drum Property Group to provide a full suite of engineering and consultancy services for the Stead’s Place development, a transformative regeneration project situated near the foot of Leith Walk, one of Edinburgh’s most historic and vibrant streets. The development revitalises a 2.9-acre brownfield site, delivering new residential accommodation and reactivating commercial frontage through the sensitive retention and refurbishment of the existing red sandstone building.
The project includes the construction of a new 110-bed residential development, arranged over four and six storeys, alongside retail and public realm enhancements that integrate with the surrounding urban fabric. Fairhurst’s early involvement enabled a proactive and multidisciplinary design approach, ensuring that all technical and contextual challenges were addressed from the outset.
Due to the presence of poor and variable ground conditions across the site, a robust foundation solution was critical. Following detailed geotechnical investigations and close collaboration with the specialist piling contractor, Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles were selected. This approach provided the necessary structural capacity while minimising noise and vibration risks for neighbouring properties, an important consideration in this densely built-up area.
The superstructure design features a complex steel transfer frame at first floor level, enabling large, open-plan commercial spaces and dual-aspect flats on the ground floor. Above this, a lightweight cold-formed steel frame system was adopted to reduce the overall weight of the building, thereby minimising the demands on the foundation system and achieving cost and programme efficiencies.
Fairhurst’s civil engineering team also delivered the external works and below-ground drainage design, coordinating closely with the architect and wider design team to ensure an efficient, integrated solution that aligned with the site’s planning and technical constraints. Highway and transportation input included access design, traffic management, and streetscape integration to ensure the development sits harmoniously within the surrounding urban network.
Our geo-environmental specialists played a key role in characterising the ground conditions and advising on contamination risks, allowing for early mitigation strategies and informing the design development process. This comprehensive, in-house approach enabled the delivery of a technically robust and commercially viable scheme that meets the client’s vision while enhancing a strategically important part of Edinburgh’s cityscape.
Images: © Drum Property Group
