Work is to be completed this year on a major gap site in Edinburgh.

The news comes as developers say they passed a key milestone on the project, the Scotsman has said.

The site in question – the Cowgate site – was left devastated after a fire in 2002, with 11 buildings being destroyed. It has recently been undergoing redevelopment, with a nine-storey hotel and retail complex being built in its place.

However, plans to rebuild on the site have not been easy, with a number of redevelopment attempts falling through before work actually began earlier this year.

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The project is currently about a month behind schedule, but Managing Director Andy Jansons, from Jansons Property, said that work was progressing quickly.

As part of the new build, six units are planned at street level on South Bridge, and include an Ibis Hotel and Sainsbury’s, while there are also designs for two retail units on the Cowgate.

The new La Belle Angèle is expected to be the first part of the complex to be completed towards the end of this year.

At present, the shell of the building is being completed, with the internal fittings being installed within the next few months. The 600-capacity club has hosted a number of concerts in the past, but was destroyed in the fire.

Mr Jansons added that work should remain on schedule for completion later this year.

(JP/CD)