A redevelopment at Hillbank Road has transformed a previous residential support service into modern, energy-efficient housing for local people. The project delivers two properties — a one-bedroom flat and a three-bedroom flat — returning the building to use and helping address the growing demand for accessible homes in the city.

The scheme is notable as the first occasion on which Hillcrest Enterprises' Maintenance department served as the principal contractor on a development, working hand in hand with Hillcrest Homes' Development team from the planning stage through to completion.

Completed at the end of June following a successful handover, the project highlights how expertise from across the organisation can be combined to deliver new homes while enabling learning and professional development for staff.

The ground floor was fully redesigned to create two separate homes tailored to different accessibility needs. New kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems were fitted throughout, and the works were carefully scheduled while other parts of the building remained occupied.

Delivered in two phases, the initial enabling stage stripped the building back to its perimeter walls and reconfigured the internal layout to suit the new homes. Around four 40‑foot skips of material were removed before construction of the new living spaces began.

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Sustainability was central to the refurbishment, with the homes fitted with solar panels, battery storage systems and air source heat pumps. Installed by Hillcrest's Maintenance teams, it marks the first time the department has delivered these technologies in-house, broadening skills and building capacity for future developments.

In addition to creating much-needed accessible accommodation, the project provided valuable staff development opportunities. The Maintenance team gained hands-on experience with low-carbon systems, while members of the Development team took on expanded responsibilities to coordinate and deliver the scheme.

James Thomson, Head of Maintenance, commented: "Hillbank Road has been a rewarding project for everyone involved. The result is two high-quality, energy-efficient homes that will make a real difference to the people who live there. The project has also helped us develop new skills and capabilities within Hillcrest Enterprises that we can build on in future projects, particularly around sustainable technologies and modern methods of delivery."

Lyle Gray, Graduate Trainee within the Development team who took on Project Officer responsibilities for the project, said: "Being part of this project has been a valuable experience. It has given me the opportunity to develop new skills, work closely with colleagues across the organisation and contribute to delivering homes that will have a positive impact on people's lives. Seeing the project progress from the early stages through to completion has been incredibly rewarding."

Dean Wilson, Operations Supervisor for Hillcrest Enterprises who acted in a Site Manager role on the project, added: "This was a complex refurbishment that completely transformed the ground floor of the building. The team took great pride in delivering high-quality homes while also installing new technologies that will help reduce energy costs for future tenants. It's something everyone involved can be proud of."

Hillcrest is one of Scotland's leading housing and social care organisations, providing homes and services that help people and communities thrive. Through investment in new and existing housing, it is committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable homes that meet the changing needs of local people.