First look at £750 million expansion vision for Edinburgh BioQuarter as new images released

New images of a planned £750m expansion to Edinburgh’s BioQuarter have been revealed by the developers.

The hub of scientific research and medical technology, established in 1997, supports 8,000 people who live and work within its boundaries.

Plans are in place to radically grow the site with proposals including new residential housing, more space dedicated to research and healthcare innovation, commercial use, a hotel, a gym, and retail and leisure offerings.

The expansion, which will create Edinburgh’s Heath Innovation District, promises to support an additional 9,000 jobs in the city, with further construction jobs during the development period.

Improvements to the facilities available on site are being constructed in order to help businesses attract employees and establish themselves in the Capital.

Once completed, the expansion should see the BioQuarter support more than 20,000 people with jobs and housing.

The Edinburgh City Council, NHS Lothian, Scottish Enterprise and Edinburgh University supported development is home to 13 award-winning life sciences businesses as well as the University of Edinburgh medical school and the Royal Infirmary.

Hugh Edmiston who chairs the Edinburgh BioQuarter Strategy Board said: “This is the start of an exciting journey in the next chapter of Edinburgh BioQuarter’s development.

“As we move ahead, we want to ensure that we involve our staff, students and the local communities in this long-term vision. The opportunities here are vast and, once realised, can deliver significant and long lasting economic and social benefits for Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.”

Interim programme director Anna Stamp said: “We want to build on the success to date of the BioQuarter.

“Our plans are to create a vibrant new neighbourhood of Edinburgh centred around a world-leading community of healthcare innovators.

“By developing at scale and at pace together with a private sector partner we will accelerate solutions to global health challenges. It is vital that BioQuarter develops as a welcome and accessible place for those who live around it, as well as those who work or study here.

“We can do this by fostering a inclusive environment which promotes wellbeing to create a welcoming place where people live, learn, work, play, relax and discover as part of Edinburgh’s Health Innovation District.”