Quartermile rebirth

CONSTRUCTION began yesterday on transforming a derelict hospital site into a £350m business district which will provide around 10 per cent of Edinburgh's commercial space.

No 1 Quartermile Square, the landmark centrepiece of the 19-acre Quartermile project on the site of the former Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, was launched by Donald Anderson, leader of Edinburgh City Council.

The development of Grade A office space, 650 new luxury homes, 170 affordable-housing flats, restaurants, cafes and bars will create more than 500 jobs during construction and a further 3,800 in offices, restaurants and shops when completed. It is also expected to generate an additional 135m of economic activity annually.