For

Out of the Blue Drill Hall,

The City of Edinburgh Council,

Hub Southeast

​

In collaboration with

Reiach & Hall

​

Leith Walk, Edinburgh

​

2017 - 2018

The former Tram Depot at 165 Leith Walk was a fascinating 1930’s structure that underwent demolition after years of closure and lying empty.

From 2018 - 2021, the resulting site was earmarked by The City of Edinburgh Council for use as a meanwhile space before plans for redevelopment into housing.

Civic Soup became involved in co-structuring engagement and consultation with local residents through Out of the Blue and Reiach & Hall.

In a series of workshops and feedback sessions, discussions were held around local needs that the site could possibly accommodate.

The outcomes were wide ranging and ambitious, profiling the diversity of people in the area. These early sessions were used to feed into a managed development of the meanwhile site.

Since these sessions, the site has developed under Hub Southeast and been managed by The City of Edinburgh Council, so far featuring artist studios and a constructed skate park.

With thanks to local historian, Kenneth G Williams, for the archival photographs. Other photos courtesy of Out of the Blue.