We have marked the topping out of Mantle Yard, our landmark 604-bed student scheme on Baltic Street in Leith, Edinburgh.

The milestone was celebrated on site with an event organised by contractors McAleer & Rushe, alongside funding partners Bridges Fund Management and Housing Growth Partnership (HGP), and members of the wider project team, to recognise the completion of the scheme’s main structure and the continued progress being made across the development.

Located on a historic brownfield site formerly used as a gasworks and naval yard, Mantle Yard is set to become Edinburgh’s largest single-site student accommodation development. The scheme represents a significant regeneration project for Leith, combining new-build construction with the careful restoration and reuse of three existing historic buildings.

Designed by Michael Laird Architects, the development will provide 604 ensuite student bedrooms together with a generous range of internal and external amenity spaces. These will include study and collaboration areas, social lounges, wellbeing spaces, a cinema, gym, landscaped courtyards, and cycle storage, creating a high-quality student living environment designed around community, wellbeing and connectivity.

Situated close to The Shore and with strong public transport links to Edinburgh’s universities, Mantle Yard will support the city’s growing demand for well-located, purpose-built student accommodation. The project is on track for completion ahead of the 2027/28 academic year, with bookings opening via operator Fresh later this year.

Sustainability and heritage retention are central to the development. By retaining and repurposing three historic buildings on site, the scheme will protect important elements of Leith’s industrial character while delivering an estimated embodied carbon saving of 3,260 tonnes compared with a full demolition and rebuild approach. Mantle Yard is also targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

Read more: Scottish Construction Now, PBSA News, Scottish Housing News, GSL Global