Ogilvie Construction News
Company news and updates

Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has reached a significant construction milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development at Leith, Edinburgh, with a topping out ceremony marking completion of the site’s structural framework.

Located on Leith Walk, Firethorn’s six-storey asset will provide high quality accommodation for 230 student beds, alongside generous amenities including a fully equipped gym, student common room, cinema and modern study spaces.

Work commenced last summer, following Firethorn’s purchase of the site in February 2024, marking the first acquisition under its Living portfolio. The company has since expanded its footprint with additional PBSA assets in Hackney Wick and Stratford, plus a hotel development in central Dublin and the One Bessborough Gardens residential conversion in London.

With the structural frame now complete, Leith Walk is on track for completion in time for the 2026/27 academic year.

Paul Martin, Head of Development at Firethorn Trust, commented:

“As the first asset within our Living portfolio, topping out at Leith Walk is a significant milestone for Firethorn, and a prime example of our ability to deliver buildings swiftly and to a high standard.

“Edinburgh has a growing student population and an urgent need for modern, quality accommodation, so we are very pleased with the pace at which works are progressing and look forward to bringing the site to completion over the next 12 months.”
Grier Edmead, Operations Director, Ogilvie Construction, said:

“Today’s topping out marks the significant progress that we have made since breaking ground last year, and we look forward to handing over a first class building in 2026. This will be the fifteenth student accommodation facility that we have delivered in recent years using our extensive experience and expertise in the sector.”

For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com

ENDS

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About Firethorn Trust

Established in 2018, Firethorn Trust is a privately-owned investor, developer and asset manager in UK real estate. Specialising in the Logistics and Living sectors, Firethorn’s full-service capabilities bring together acquisition, development, investment management, legal and financial expertise to deliver strategic real estate solutions that create long-term value for clients, partners and projects.

For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com.

Pupils at Bannockburn High School will benefit from upgraded fitness equipment after Ogilvie Construction donated £1500 towards the Parent Council’s fundraising drive to buy new gym machines.

Emma Lindsay, Chair of the Bannockburn High School Parent Council, said:

“We are really grateful to Ogilvie Construction for their donation, which has given our fundraising campaign a massive boost. The money will be put towards the purchase of a new treadmill, upright bike, rowing machine and weights that can be used by young people at the school every day.”

Ogilvie has been working closely with the school throughout its construction of the new £5 million facility for children with additional support needs in its grounds.

Anyone who wants to support the campaign with a donation or equipment should contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Pictured left to right in between pupils:

Chris Somerville, Depute Head Teacher, Steve Wall, Ogilvie Construction, Emma Lindsay, Parent Council, Tom Ogilvie, Ogilvie Construction, Karen Hook, Head Teacher.

Ogilvie Construction has passed a significant milestone on the project to build a new £10 million community hub for people with learning disabilities in Inverclyde with the completion of the building’s foundations.

Work is now focussed on the construction of the timber frame structure with the project on track for completion and handover next year.

The facility, being built for Inverclyde Council/HSCP, will have space for up to 50 adults and young people with learning disabilities and autism with scope for other community use, replacing the existing Fitzgerald Centre in Greenock and the former McPherson Centre in Gourock, which closed a number of years ago.

Grier Edmead, Operations Director, Ogilvie Construction said: “We’ve made excellent progress on the build since site operations started in December last year. The next phase will see the timber frame rising before moving on to external structural work and internal fit out. We look forward to handing over a first-class purpose-built facility next year.”

Councillor Francesca Brennan, chair of Inverclyde Council’s social work and social care scrutiny panel and vice-chair of the IJB, said: “Good progress is being made on the construction of the new adult community hub and it’s thanks to strong partnership working between the council/HSCP and our partners.

“Once completed, this will be a first-class facility for our service users and staff and the whole of Inverclyde.”

Iain Marley, chief executive of hubWest Scotland, said: “Laying the foundations marks a major milestone in delivering this much-anticipated learning and community hub.

“It’s a tangible symbol of progress and partnership, and we’re proud to help create a space that will serve and inspire generations to come.”

The exterior design draws inspiration from Greenock’s famous Sugar Sheds while the internal layout and external landscaping has been developed through partnership working with learning disability staff and extensive consultation with service users and families.

The aim is to provide an enhanced sensory experience for those users with complex needs, including those with co-existing conditions such as autism, visual and perceptual impairments, physical and sensory disabilities, dementia and life-limiting conditions.

Careful consideration has been given to the use of materials, texture, colour and noise to provide the best possible environment for service users and staff indoors and outdoors.

Another key focus of the project is achieving enhanced energy efficiencies and a low operational carbon footprint, including the use of roof-mounted solar panels to help offset emissions.

Work is underway on Midlothian Council’s latest energy-efficient housing development on the site of the former Danderhall library and leisure centre.

Contractor Ogilive Construction is building 23 one-and two-bedroom flats in two blocks along with car parking and access routes, landscaping and a play area on Newton Church Road.

Due to be finished by summer 2026, the properties will be among 207 council homes across Midlothian, all designed to the demanding Passivhaus standard.

The buildings, which have been designed by architects Architype, retain heat from the sun and require very little additional heating or cooling.

Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Stuart McKenzie said: “It’s great to see work underway on our latest energy-efficient and affordable council homes.

“These homes are helping us towards our commitment to make significant progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2040 while tackling poverty.”

Cllr McKenzie said wider community benefits tied to the £6.93 million project include offers of apprenticeships and jobs for local people.

Grier Edmead, Operations Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “We are proud to be working with Midlothian Council again to deliver high quality, energy efficient homes in Danderhall. As always, our site team will engage with nearby residents to keep them advised of progress of construction work and ensure minimum disruption throughout the project.”

Ogilvie Construction is also building 90 Passivhaus homes on the site of the old Newbattle High School in Easthouses. The £25.038m project is Midlothian Council’s most ambitious energy-efficient housing development and is due to be completed later this year. 

Construction work on an extension and modernisation of the north-east’s award-winning Macduff Marine Aquarium is about to get underway.

Appointed contractor Ogilvie Construction has already begun pre-construction activities on-site alongside the external landscaping works it started earlier this year.

The project is being developed with the support of UK Government funding together with other external funding streams and financial support from Aberdeenshire Council.

Ogilvie Construction is proud to have completed 30 Semple Street, Edinburgh’s latest prime Grade A office building.

Developed by Corran Properties for CBRE Investment Management, it delivers 57,000 sq ft of high-quality workspace designed for modern businesses.

With sustainability at its core, the redevelopment retained the building’s original frame, preventing 3,300 tons of CO2 emissions—over 50% of the carbon that would have been used in a full reconstruction. The new office space replaces fossil fuel boilers with clean heating and features abundant natural light, operable windows, and first-class amenities, including cycling facilities, EV charging, secure changing areas, and premium showers.

Now standing at eight floors, the building also boasts two additional levels and a stunning rooftop terrace with panoramic views over Edinburgh. With cutting-edge energy-efficient systems, contemporary design, and a focus on well-being, 30 Semple Street sets a new benchmark for sustainable workspaces in the city.

It is the first BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ design-stage, NABERS and AIR Score ‘Platinum’ accredited office building in Scotland and is designed to function in accordance with the UK Green Buildings Council Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework definition.

Council housing update - Supported Housing for Young People and additional council housing, at Almondvale Crescent, Livingston.

A significant step has been made towards restarting work on the Almondvale Crescent Site to deliver Supported Housing for Young People and additional council housing with Ogilvie Construction Ltd set to be appointed as the main construction contractor to take the project forward to completion via Hub South East, a delivery partner of the council.

Commercial real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has passed a major milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Leith Walk, Edinburgh, with completion of the building’s substructure.

Ogilvie Construction has been appointed to deliver the six-storey block, which will create high quality accommodation for 230 students when it completes next year.

Construction works to deliver a state of the art learning facility for young people with additional support needs is progressing on the grounds of Bannockburn High School.

Bluebell House will provide bespoke accommodation for up to 24 pupils which will be kitted out with classrooms, nurture nooks, a sensory room and a GP room in addition to staff and administrative facilities.

WORK has started on construction of a new £10 million community hub for people in Inverclyde with learning disabilities.

The facility is being built on the former Hector McNeil Swimming Pool site in Brachelston Street, Greenock.

The project is being led and funded by Inverclyde Council/Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) alongside development partner hub West Scotland.

The new-build facility will have space for up to 50 adults and young people with learning disabilities and autism with scope for other community use.

It will replace the existing Fitzgerald Centre in Greenock and the former McPherson Centre in Gourock, which closed a number of years ago.

Work started this week on the development, which has been designed by architects Holmes Miller and is being built by main contractors Ogilvie Construction.