Clark Contracts has marked the topping out of 'The Pepper Mill' student accommodation on Dunedin Street, Edinburgh, for client Danehurst. The event celebrated the completion of the building's main structure.

Representatives from Danehurst, the design team, and Clark Contracts, including director Michael Scanlan, attended the ceremony. Bob Bratland, co-founder of Danehurst, cast the final section of concrete to commemorate the occasion.

The six-storey development, scheduled to open in Autumn 2025, will provide 155 student beds. It will also feature extensive amenity spaces, including a lounge, games room, communal kitchen, gym, library, and group study rooms, totalling almost 500 square metres.

The Pepper Mill is designed to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating, incorporating sustainable features such as roof-mounted air source heat pumps for heating and hot water, and green and blue roofs for sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs). The development will also achieve WiredScore 'Platinum' certification, ensuring high-quality connectivity for residents.


The project is being delivered in collaboration with ISA Architects, Fairhurst (Structural Engineer), Rybka (Services Engineer), and F3 Building Surveyors (Principal Designer).

Bob Bratland from Danehurst said: "This is Danehurst's first project north of the border and it is a great experience working with our Scottish design team and Clark Contracts who are all working to make Danehurst's vision of providing students with a 'home away from home' experience in Edinburgh a reality. Designed to satisfy critical requirements to ensure the security, safety and well-being of the residents, we look forward to welcoming students in later this year."

Michael Scanlan, Director at Clark Contracts, added: "This topping out marks a significant milestone in the development of The Pepper Mill student accommodation project. This state-of-the-art facility will provide students with a modern, sustainable living space, complete with a range of amenities designed to foster community and well-being. Upon its completion, we look forward to seeing The Pepper Mill become a key part of the student experience here in Edinburgh."