The development partnership of City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Enterprise and Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) Limited yesterday broke ground on the site of an £85m Expansion Space for EICC and separate Grade A Offices, signalling the start of one of Scotland’s biggest construction projects, that will sustain 250 jobs at peak employment.
The development forms the last piece of Edinburgh’s Exchange Masterplan and will be ready for occupation by 2013, adding a 2,000 square metre Multi Purpose Hall to EICC and delivering 186,000 square feet of Grade A office space in the city centre.
Main contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine, will direct up to eighty sub-contractors on-site working to a build schedule of 126 weeks.
Leading the development partnership in a ground breaking ceremony on-site City of Edinburgh Council leader, Jenny Dawe, said: “Experience tells us that when we invest in EICC we are investing in the future prosperity of the City and, with a £2.3 billion return forecast over the next thirty years, our long term investment is safe and sustainable through and beyond the current economic downturn.”
Echoing the economic development potential Scottish Enterprise Director, Pamela Woodburn commented: “We are active investors in this development and the return in jobs and prosperity from a resilient EICC is measurable across Scotland and represents excellent value for money."
During the excavation stage of the development 120,000 tonnes of material will be removed from the site and work on the superstructure will require 3,300 tonnes of structural steelwork to be erected."
The main construction challenges will be the installation of a 15-metre cantilever at the rear of the building where the office development will overhang Conference Square and ensuring that the EICC can continue with business as usual throughout out the build period.
The new Multi Purpose Hall for EICC includes a bespoke moving floor system to cater for various configurations and uses, ranging from flat-floored exhibition, through tiered banqueting to raked auditorium and arena setup.
(GK)
Construction News
02/08/2010
Partnership Breaks Ground On EICC Expansion

29/04/2025
Albyn Housing Society, a major social housing provider operating across the Highlands, is expanding its portfolio to the Isle of Skye for the first time.
The society, which manages almost 3,900 properties across 80 rural communities on the mainland, will soon hand over seven new affordable homes i

29/04/2025
As SP Energy Networks progresses with its ambitious £10.6 billion investment plan (RIIO-T3) to upgrade Central and Southern Scotland's electricity transmission network between 2026 and 2031, a new independent report has shed light on the costs and characteristics of various transmission technologies

29/04/2025
Casey Gardner, a 19-year-old apprentice painter and decorator from Fife, is set to represent Scotland in the national final of the prestigious 2025 PDA Premier Trophy Awards – Apprentice of the Year Competition.
Ms Gardner secured her place after a successful performance in the Regional Heat held

29/04/2025
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, has been named Business Leader of the Year at an awards ceremony held at the EICC in Edinburgh. Mr Anderson was chosen from a shortlist of eight company leaders, including representatives from The Ivy Collection, Greggs, Cazenove Capital, and the Mur

29/04/2025
Significant progress has been made this week on major development plans for the strategically important Hunterston site in North Ayrshire.
Members of the council's Planning Committee approved proposals for the creation of a salmon rearing facility at the location.
The applicants, Bakkafrost Scotl

29/04/2025
The local community in Innerleithen, including pupils from St Ronan's Primary School and local councillors have celebrated the official reopening of the village's play park following significant improvement works.
The much-anticipated upgrades to the facility include extensive drainage work and the

29/04/2025
Craigtoun Country Park, a popular destination near St Andrews, is poised to see a significant upgrade to its beloved Dutch Village situated on the boating lake. The structure is set to undergo essential repairs, including new rendering and roof tiles, thanks to newly secured funding.
Fife Council h

29/04/2025
Residents of the Kirkton area of Dundee are a step closer to a new community centre following the allocation of £1.5 million in funding. The money has been awarded to local charity Kirkton Community Centre SCIO through the UK Government's Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP).
The funding will e

29/04/2025
Gas network operator SGN has been lauded for its exceptional commitment to customer service, securing four prestigious gold awards at the CCA Global Excellence Awards 2025 ceremony held in Glasgow last night. The accolades affirm SGN's position as industry leaders in customer care and innovation.
T

29/04/2025
A collaborative effort involving public, private, and academic organisations has culminated in the launch of a ten-year strategy aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth across the Highlands and Islands. The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP) has unveiled its Regional