Edinburgh’s Springside takes shape as landscape-led neighbourhood completes
A leading landscape architect practice has been instrumental in transforming a former Edinburgh brewery site into ground-breaking new development that puts people and the environment at its very centre. Built on the old Scottish & Newcastle brewery site, Moda, The McEwan, is a flagship build-to-rent development by Moda Living in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge. The final phase of Moda, The McEwan has now been completed, with landscape architecture practice OOBE playing a central role in shaping the public realm and placemaking vision for the site.
The £215m development, delivered in phases across several years, transforms a former brewery site into a vibrant 20-minute neighbourhood – offering over 476 high-quality rental homes alongside food and beverage, retail units, workspaces, landscaped courtyards and public squares. The final phase completes this vision with 139 new homes and a connected landscape that links seamlessly with the wider site and surrounding community. Both phases of the development were funded by a JV between Moda and Apache Capital alongside its funding partners Harrison Street and NFU Mutual.
OOBE has been involved throughout the life of the project, leading on the public realm design for both phases. The team was tasked with delivering a landscape strategy that brings people together, weaves nature into the city centre, and supports Moda’s ambition to set new standards for rental living in Scotland.
Emma McNicholas, Director at OOBE said: “Our design approach focused on creating layered, multi-functional outdoor spaces that invite people in – not just residents, but the wider community too. From the start, the landscape has been fundamental to how this development works – socially, environmentally and economically.”
OOBE’s design at Moda, The McEwan places people at the heart of the landscape, creating outdoor spaces that feel connected, considered and purposeful. The layout brings a balance of shared and more private areas: from the central public square that now hosts community events, to roof terraces and gardens that offer quieter places for residents to spend time outdoors. The finer details have been designed to support the overall sense of place. Seating is integrated into the landscape to encourage everyday use, while site-wide graphics and wayfinding elements help create a coherent, easy-to-navigate and human-scale environment.
Planting is used not only to enhance the look and feel of each space, but also to support biodiversity and manage water sustainably. OOBE has incorporated a series of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) – using natural planting, rain gardens and permeable surfaces to slow rainwater, reduce runoff and support local ecology.
Movement through the site has also been carefully considered, with walking and cycling routes linking Springside to the Union Canal and surrounding areas. The materials, OOBE-designed artwork and design language draw on the site’s industrial heritage, but the spaces are very much designed for modern city living – practical, adaptable and rooted in the everyday lives of the people who use them.
The completion of Moda, The McEwan also supports the City of Edinburgh Council’s wider ambitions for 20-minute neighbourhoods – places where people can live, work and access services within easy walking distance. The landscape plays a pivotal role in realising this vision, helping to reduce reliance on cars, promote wellbeing, and foster community interaction.
The McEwan recently opened its doors with a free community open house event in partnership with local businesses, showcasing the landscaped spaces and on-site amenities to residents and visitors.
“The delivery of the final phase of Moda, The McEwan completes a neighbourhood that’s vibrant, highly accessible and is connected seamlessly into the existing community via new streets and a wonderful expansive public square” said James Blakey, Planning and Engagement Director at Moda Living. “OOBE’s work has been essential to realising this vision, helping us create an extensive public realm that’s not only beautiful, but also meaningful and usable every day.”
