CALA Homes has started work on a new luxury homes development at Edinburgh's World Heritage Site.

The scheme involves transforming the grounds of Donaldson's, one of the city's most iconic locations, into a contemporary new residences titled 'The Crescent'.

Designed by Scottish architect Richard Murphy, the collection of new apartments will be based in the north of the listed building. The first stage of the construction involves a significant excavation, which will create the underground parking, part of the design intended to keep the site as free from cars as possible once it is completed and landscaped.

Work will then commence on the westernmost half of the split crescent, to create a stylish, glass-fronted building which takes a host of design cues from buildings within Edinburgh's Georgian New Town. Features of the homes will include garden flats, duplexes and penthouses as well as panoramic views.

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In addition, The Crescent will complement the restoration of the neighbouring Category A-listed Playfair building.

The building was most recently home to Donaldson's School for the Deaf. However, rising costs saw the school move to a purpose-built new campus in Linlithgow, West Lothian in 2008. The site was eventually purchased by CALA Homes and mothballed for a number of years, to take account of the economic downturn. During this period, plans to restore the building and transform the wider location were drawn up and approved, including extensive consultation with the local community and heritage groups.

CALA then partnered with heritage restoration specialists City & Country, which took on the conversion of the 1851 building into a variety of apartments, with work getting underway last year.

David McGrath, Managing Director of CALA Homes (East) said: "It is a privilege to be involved in this project, so we are delighted that work has now started on the site.

"It is rare enough to earn the chance to create new homes in a World Heritage Site – let alone to be working in a location as special as Edinburgh's renowned Donaldson's site. This promises to be a one-of-a-kind development and one that we are extremely proud and excited to be part of.

"Everything about this project makes it so special. The architects have pulled a masterstroke in coming up with designs which are stylish and modern, yet also pay a respectful homage to the World Heritage site.

"Starting the construction process is a huge milestone and we hope The Crescent will become a landmark in its own right for decades to come."

(LM)