An Edinburgh city centre cafe that has been closed down for nearly two years is to be transformed into a luxury restaurant and office space.
Zest & Co, located on Canning Street, just off Haymarket, closed its doors to commuters and office workers in the summer of 2020 during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic but is now expected to become a swish diner and workspace.
The former cafe and garages at 16 - 22 Canning Street will be converted but plans detail keeping the current yoga studio on site.
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The plans have been approved by Edinburgh Council with the property expected to undergo a number of renovations to prepare it for future use.
The architects behind the plans, Hackland + Dore Architects Limited, have been responsible for other developments in Edinburgh and worked with Midlothian Council on multiple sites. They have also worked with Starbucks on various projects across the UK.
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The architects left a statement on their website about the new plans, it reads: "H+D’s rather unique approach, blends the distinction between work, dining and social activity, offering maximum Client return whilst providing a flexible environment placing its end users at the heart of the newly created space facilitating movement and functionality.
"The project directly engages the immediate community, with the restaurant open to the public, contributing to the ebb and flow of activity and revenue with seamless transition to the work and social spaces. Interaction and connectivity are promoted across 5 levels of interior space arranged over various sized mezzanines, reduced slab zones and a central sunken social area.
"The material palette of lacquered corten steel panels, exposure of new and existing steel beams/columns, existing brickwork, polished concrete floors reflect the urban/industrialized aspiration.
"The folding sliding glass panels and external lacquered corten benches enhance the experience further, encouraging interaction/use between the interior and the immediate external areas, generating further activity, vitality and awareness of the space."
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