Developers home in an abandoned Leith railway viaduct
January 23 2025
A disused railway arch in Leith is set to become an aparthotel and cafe under new plans prepared by Genlo Design.
Picking up from plans to turn a nearby bingo hall into student accommodation the latest proposal would see the unit at 20 Gordon Street stripped back and extended for its new role.
Infill to the front facade would be stripped away in favour of a new glazed elevation accentuating the red sandstone arch, with the ground floor housing a new cafe and entrance with up to 15 apartments inserted above.
A new build extension to the rear would retain the form of an infill railway arch while providing expanded accommodation, including a rooftop extension peeking up above the existing track level.
In a concept statement, Genlo wrote: "From Gordon Street it is intended that the form remains that of an infilled railway arch, with a curtain walled infill providing a lightweight, contemporary aesthetic, which serves to protect and enhance the integrity of the arch as a whole.
"From the tenements to the south the proposed rear extension is intended to take the form of the existing arch."
Hailed as a novel example of adaptive re-use the project is being positioned as a means to bring new life to a forgotten corner of Leith.
A central stair will punch through the track bed
A rear extension would provide additional bedrooms
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