CDA completes The McEwan BTR Development
— Jul 30, 2025, 11:57:11 AM by Sarah Watt
The final phase of The McEwan Build to Rent (BTR) development for Moda Living reaches practical completion. This marks a significant milestone delivering the final 139 homes within the 476 BTR development.
The McEwan is one of the largest BTR developments in Scotland, situated on the former Scottish & Newcastle Brewery site in the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh. The neighbourhood is a key part of the wider regeneration of Fountainbridge, set to revitalise a historic part of the city with new homes, public spaces and opportunities for the local community.
The first two buildings, completed in 2022, include 337 BTR residential apartments ranging from studios to three beds. The second phase provides a further 139 apartments in the third and final building. As a Build to Rent development, the quality of the architecture and spaces within was paramount.
The McEwan includes 15,000 sqft of amenities including resident lounge, co-working space, meeting room, cinema room, private dining, rooftop terraces and a 24/7 gym.
The development was also the first building in Europe to achieve the highest, 3-star Fitwel rating, demonstrating Moda's commitment to maximising the health and wellbeing of its residents and the wider Edinburgh community.
Delivery of the neighbourhood’s second phase generated £32.8m of social, local and economic value, with almost £17m spend with SMEs and £18m spent with a local supply chain.
The build generated 419 weeks of on-site apprenticeship training, with 244 local people employed on the site. Robertson also achieved the highest possible Considerate Constructors Scheme score while on site, with a 45/45.
Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “Working closely with Moda, we’ve brought new life to a once underused part of the city to create a thriving neighbourhood that has become a welcome addition to Edinburgh. This project gave us the opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in operating safely in complex, busy environments while not compromising the quality standards that Robertson is known for.
“A real focus of our approach was to ensure that we provided long-lasting benefits for the local economy and community throughout construction. It’s fantastic that we achieved this by supporting local suppliers, creating jobs, and offering apprenticeships that will help build skills for the future.
“It is also essential that as we look to the future that we see the value that BTR has in helping address the housing emergency being faced in Scotland. I fully support the recommendations being made by the Housing Investment Taskforce, to meet the shortage challenges and to unlock new and existing investment, both public and private. Acting as a catalyst for change, its work will have a multi-generational impact that will improve housing supply and investment resilience, as it works with the government and the sector to address Scotland’s housing needs at scale.”
Tony Brooks, Executive Chairman, Moda Living, said: “Reaching practical completion at Moda, The McEwan is a landmark moment, and we’re grateful to Robertson, Apache Capital and its investment partners and other stakeholders for helping to deliver the second phase of this fantastic neighbourhood.
“We’re proud to be playing a role in the regeneration of Fountainbridge and to be welcoming residents into this already dynamic community, designed with health, wellbeing and community in mind, that makes it more than an apartment but a home.”
Jamie Snary, Executive Director Asset Management and Operations, Apache Capital, said: “The McEwan is another exemplar BTR asset forming part of our prime regional portfolio, bringing another 139 homes into operation adding to the 6,000 units which are either operational or in the development pipeline. Alongside welcoming our new residents we have also secured the first commercial occupiers including a convenience-led retailer which will be opening imminently.”
The development is on the site of the former McEwan’s Brewery. It was the first development in Scotland to be brought forward by Moda and its funding partner Apache Capital with its investors Harrison Street and NFU Mutual, who have funded both phases of the neighbourhood.
With practical completion now achieved, residents have begun moving into the second phase.
Project Team
BTR Developer and Operator: Moda
Investors: Apache Capital, Harrison Street, NFU Mutual
Architect: CDA (led by Catriona Gray, Jennifer Shewan, Michael Dargo)
Planning Consultant: CBRE
Civil & Structural Engineer: Goodson Associates
M&E Engineer: Henderson Warnock
Cost Consultant: CBA
Acoustic Consultant: RMP
Landscape Architect: Oobe
Main Contractor: Robertson Group
Photography: © Paul Zanre Photography
In the Press
BTR News / Moda, The McEwan BTR reaches completion