Laing O鈥橰ourke was appointed last year on a consultancy basis to advise on pre-construction. The client is TH Real Estate and Dutch pension asset manager APG have formed a joint venture to develop one of the UK鈥檚 largest private sector regeneration projects.
Edinburgh St James will comprise 80,000 m2 (850,000 sq ft) of retail space, a multi-screen cinema, a 214-room hotel and 150 flats for private sale.
An 18-month demolition phase now begins on the existing 1960s St James Shopping centre. The retail and leisure element of the redevelopment is anticipated to complete in 2020, followed by full scheme completion in 2021.
Laing O鈥橰ourke chairman and chief executive Ray O鈥橰ourke said his firm would be exploiting offsite manufacturing systems to bring the project in on time and budget
Robert-Jan Foortse, APG head of European property investments, said:聽 鈥淭he Edinburgh St James project is one the UK鈥檚 largest and most significant regeneration projects.聽 We are excited to become part of this scheme that will transform and reinforce the heart of Edinburgh city centre with the creation of a new shopping destination.鈥�
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