THE long-term future for a top Edinburgh creative venue could be secured as a developer has been chosen, vowing the “arts will remain a priority” in the building's future.
Edinburgh-based developer AMA has been confirmed as the preferred bidder for the Summerhall arts hub, as it aims to treat the building with “respect and consideration” for its “rich history”.
In May, the owners of Summerhall announced that they were planning to sell the site with estate agents claiming it had “endless” potential to be developed into student housing, a “boutique hotel”, or offices.
The family-run business AMA said any development plans for Summerhall will include allocating a “substantial proportion of the space” for art, conference, entertainment and public space.
The arts complex, formerly a veterinary college, acts as a major venue during the Edinburgh Fringe and contains a pub as well as hosting spaces for artists and small businesses.
Dr Ali Afshar, co-founder and MD of AMA, said: “We are proud to have been chosen as custodians of this iconic Edinburgh landmark and one that we know is so important to the arts community.
“Summerhall is a complex city centre site, steeped in history and containing a number of listed buildings. Its use as a Fringe venue and home to small businesses has given it a special place in the hearts of local people. As we start to develop plans for its future, we intend to treat Summerhall with respect and consideration for its rich history, with an ongoing commitment to continue supporting the arts on the site.
“Following a full legal process, we will be undertaking a structured consultation with stakeholders, planners and the local community to determine the way forward for Summerhall, as we want to develop the best possible plan to achieve a sustainable and commercially viable future.
“We anticipate that this will be a mixed-used plan, but we can confirm that any planning application we make will include allocating a substantial proportion of the space for art, conference, entertainment and public space.
“AMA is a well-respected Edinburgh family business, with more than 40 years’ experience in delivering award-winning developments in the capital, including complicated sites such as the former Scottish & Newcastle Brewery and St Vincent Place.
“The redevelopment of Summerhall is a challenge we are very much looking forward to, and we want to reassure Edinburgh residents that we will bring forward a proposal that respects the local surroundings and the existing exceptional architecture, and that it will be carried out to the highest build quality by our professional team.”
The building is owned by the Isle of Man-based Oesselmann Estate Limited and it has been running as an arts village for 13 years.
The firm announced earlier this year its plans to sell the building which placed uncertainty in the future around the many creative industries homed in Summerhall.
