Edinburgh plans for 'creative hub' in repurposed shipping containers at Leith port

Peter A Walker & Lee Dalgetty

30 January 2025 at 10:35 am·2-min read

Plans for The Dry Dock at Harbour 31 — -Credit:Forth Ports/gfivethree architects

Plans for phase two of Harbour 31 in Leith have been submitted to Edinburgh Council.

The Dry Dock would see a 'creative and commercial hub' created within the Port of Leith. The development hopes to cater to visual artists to port-related enterprises and other commercial sectors - all housed within repurposed shipping containers, reports BusinessInsider.

New public spaces would also be created under the plans, which are yet to be approved.

Pamela Smyth, chief legal and property officer of landowners Forth Ports, said: "Our application for The Dry Dock at Harbour 31 aims to deliver a vibrant, creative and commercial hub that integrates this historical site with its surroundings and will introduce new public spaces and open up previously inaccessible areas of the port to the community.

"Through significant investment, the Port of Leith is transitioning into a leading offshore renewables hub and coupled with this proposed development, this adds to the current regeneration of Leith and the waterfront."

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The application follows on from the planning permission in principle submitted last March for 337 new homes and approximately 244 square metre of commercial space. These proposals have been designed by gfivethree architects, and following consent, construction should begin later this year, ready for occupation in 2026.

Existing historical structures on the site, such as the former dry dock pump house, sheds and rail tracks, will be preserved and incorporated into the design.

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The proposed Harbour 31 development is near the new FirstStage film studio. It would also provide 337 new homes, including studios and one, two and three-bedroom flats.

The flats would be spread across four plots. They'd be between five and eight storeys high and there would be shared green spaces.

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