Edinburgh locals were invited to celebrate the grand unveiling of the new Granton Station redevelopment after it underwent a £4.75m refurbishment.
Those in attendance were able to enjoy live performances and families were able to explore local crafters, makers and other market stalls that carried out play and arts activities on Saturday March 11.
A plaque was also unveiled by the National Transport Trust which declared the old Granton Gasworks Station as a transport heritage site. It paid homage to the building that was constructed in 1902 and operated as a hub to supply the local gasworks with coal until 1942.
READ MORE - Homeowner rages after holidaymakers park car in his driveway for four days
It read: “Built on a private branch line by the Edinburgh & Leith Gas Commissioners to serve their workers in an area of limited public transport.”
The site of the old station had lain vacant for a number of years before it was bought over by Edinburgh City Council in 2018. The multi-million pound restoration of the Edwardian building, along with the redevelopment of the adjacent square, were partly funded through the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Town Centre Fund.
Local residents chose the name of Station Square through an online consultation. Local S3 pupil, Summer Urquhart, of Craigroyston High School cut the ribbon to officially open the Square.
The new-look station building will be managed by social enterprise charity Wasps Studios, who work across Edinburgh and Scotland, to provide affordable workspace for artists and the creative industries. It is part of the wider £1.3billion regeneration of the Granton Waterfront.
Wasps will be taking on the building shortly to start their internal fit out. When operational, the charity will look to provide space to support around 40 jobs in the area as well as assist around 100 people each year with creative business development opportunities.
There will also be an effort to deliver a historical programme for local people and railway enthusiasts on the fascinating history of the area. It is hoped that a raft of workshops and outdoor events hosted at the venue in the future will also attract thousands of visitors to the area.
The newly created public square in front of the building will be host to events and local community activity throughout the year. Council leader Cammy Day cut the ribbon to open the innovative new public space and those attending had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the newly refurbished historic Granton Station building ahead of its official opening later this year.
Councillor Cammy Day said: “We’ve taken local people with us through every step of this process to reach this first major milestone. Seeing the refurbished Granton Station and iconic clock as well as the new square in all its glory feels very significant for the project and is another reason to come along and help us celebrate at this fantastic event.
“They sit at the heart of our £1.3bn regeneration of the wider area and will be a focal point for the community and visitors to enjoy for generations to come. We’re creating homes, jobs and new communities at Granton Waterfront and you can already see construction well underway for the first of the 3,500 net zero carbon homes.
“We’re building over 70 new mid-market and social rent net zero homes, with the first new residents due to move in at the end of this year. And on the far side of Forthquarter Park the Western Villages site is making good progress to deliver 444 net zero homes. Also included in the plans are a new primary school, health centre, active travel routes and improved transport links, as well as workspace, community and cultural spaces.
“We’ll also be marking the start of works on the neighbouring iconic Granton Gasholder shortly. It will create a multifunctional public space that can be used and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike so look out for work starting there soon.”
READ NEXT-
Edinburgh woman rushed to hospital after being hit by bus in city centre
Edinburgh man founds music charity helping vulnerable people after death of close friend
Edinburgh weather: Met Office issues yellow weather warning as cold snap continues
Millionaire Edinburgh penthouse with views of Castle and Arthur's Seat hits market
Edinburgh fire service race to shoreline blaze with smoke seen from as far away as Fife
