Montrose Terrace is a purpose-built student accommodation development located on a prominent corner at Montrose Terrace and West Norton Place in Edinburgh’s Abbeyhill area. The project transforms a former derelict site into much-needed student housing, carefully integrated into one of the city’s oldest and most characterful neighbourhoods.

Before the interior design was developed, early thinking focused on student experience; how residents would live, move through and share the building and how it would sit comfortably within the wider community. Consideration was given to arrival, daily routines, shared spaces, and the balance between social interaction and privacy. The aim was to create a building that functions clearly for residents while contributing positively to the surrounding streetscape.

The scheme delivers 149 high-quality studios and cluster flats, supported by a range of shared amenities. These include a double-height gym and laundry space, a yoga room and a rooftop private dining area. Each space was designed to support wellbeing and community in a natural way, shaped around how students use them day to day.

Clarity of movement, ease of use, and intuitive layout were prioritised throughout, ensuring the building feels welcoming from the moment residents arrive. The result is a PBSA scheme that balances heritage, performance and lived experience. Supporting student life while contributing to the ongoing regeneration of Abbeyhill.