Hybrid hospitality brand The Social Hub has revealed proposals for a new £200 million hospitality and community venue in Edinburgh, on the site that was formerly home to the Fountain Brewery.
The European group, which opened its first UK outpost in Glasgow’s Merchant City in the spring of 2024, is now ‘in advanced negotiations’ for a plot of land on the Fountainbridge site, under a redevelopment masterplan being led by Buccleuch Property and Cruden Homes.
The Social Hub’s business model brings together travellers, businesspeople, neighbours, and students in modern multi-purpose buildings, offering everything from remote working facilities to long term accommodation, alongside events spaces and a range of food & beverage venues.
Founded by Edinburgh-born Charlie MacGregor, the group already has multiple sites across Europe, but it is only now, having successfully tested the Scottish waters in Glasgow, that MacGregor has staked a claim on his hometown.
He said: “This is a very special moment for me; it’s something I’ve hoped for and worked towards for many years.
“Edinburgh is my home city and part of my DNA. This is an opportunity to give something back and help shape a bold, positive future for Fountainbridge.
“The success of Glasgow has shown what we can achieve in Scotland and I am so excited to see how we can make the same kind of impact in this wonderful city,” he added.
“The Social Hub is more than a place to stay – it’s a hub where people from all backgrounds come together, help create a better society, and achieve extraordinary things.”
The Fountainbridge plans, submitted by Montagu Evans and Hawkins Brown, propose an investment of around £200 million and the creation of up to 100 jobs through the development of a new 560-bed facility.
This would include extended-stay rooms, coworking space for up to 300 people, community event spaces, gym and wellness facilities, a bar and restaurant, and a landscaped space outside.
The Social Hub now plans to host public consultation events in Fountainbridge on December 8 and January 26 to ‘share its vision’ for the site. Visits to the company’s Glasgow hub will also be arranged to give locals a feel for the ‘positive impact’ it has made in the city’s Candleriggs area.
“We always want the local community to help shape our hubs and would encourage anyone with views about our plans to share them,” said MacGregor.
The wider redevelopment proposals for Fountainbridge include hundreds of new homes, office and retail space, and ‘delivery of high-quality public spaces’.
Commercial property director at Buccleuch, Nick Waugh, commented: “We are delighted to be working with The Social Hub to provide the last important piece of the approved masterplan and such a complementary use for the site.”
