ONE of Edinburgh's most famous streets will undergo a transformation as a number of brand-new independent retail businesses prepare to open in the area.
Drum Property Group has unveiled a host of new tenants for its refurbished Red Sandstone building which extends from 106 to 154 Leith Walk.
Following a major redevelopment project the two-storey building, first completed in 1933 in the Scottish Art Deco style, it now provides space for up to 10 ground-floor retail units, together with a range of open-plan first-floor business suites overlooking the foot of Leith Walk.
What shops are opening on Leith Walk?
New retail tenants include Hobz Bakery, Cornelius Wines, vintage clothing store Rhinestone Cowboys, Chorrito Sauce Company and Design Eat Repeat, a design store and gallery space.
They join Leith Depot, an established bar, restaurant and music venue which has been based at the location since 2015 and has recently signed a new lease expanding the venue and extending its stay at the retail parade.
Known simply as The Red Sandstone the building forms an iconic gateway to Drum’s £50 million transformation of the 2.9-acre Stead’s Place site, which will bring 148 new homes to the rear of the development linking Leith Walk to Pilrig Park and beyond.
Graeme Bone, managing director of Drum Group’s, said he's excited by the "widespread interest" in the Red Sandstone.
'It'll bring something a little different to the city centre'
He said: “The Red Sandstone, as a distinctive entry point for our new development, will provide both a new focus and destination for the foot of Leith Walk.
"And with more tenant and business announcements to be made shortly, the eclectic mix of occupiers attracted to the building will bring something a little different to the city centre, continuing the rich tradition of diversity and independence which makes this area such an exciting destination in which to live, work and visit.”
Hobz, which means bread in Maltese, was established in early 2021 by Matt Mallia, who began selling his bakery produce at the Leith Walk Police Box and at Leith Arches.
Mallia said: “I immediately felt welcomed to the Leith area, and quickly began looking for a brick-and-mortar shop in Leith.
"The Red Sandstone soon emerged as the top contender in my search for a permanent home for Hobz and we’re so glad to be able to launch in an area with so many other artisan producers.”
James Wrobel, owner of Cornelius Beer and Wine, said: “For almost two decades, Cornelius gained a reputation as one of Edinburgh’s very best off-licenses, with a very wide range of drinks that manage to be both affordable and slightly outside the mainstream.
"We are very excited to now be opening on Leith Walk, one of Edinburgh’s most historic and important thoroughfares, with both a thriving local community and a lot of commuter traffic.”
Leith Depot has been based in the Red Sandstone since 2015 and is now set to be expanded and improved as part of the building’s refurbishment.
Owner Julie Carty said: “Everyone at Leith Depot is looking forward to an exciting and prosperous future for all who will reside in the Red Sandstone Building at Steads Place.”
