Work has started on a £1.5 million project to convert a former school residential lodge into a major business hub in the heart of St Andrews.
A turf-cutting ceremony with Fife Council’s deputy leader, Councillor Lesley Laird, and representatives from housebuilder Robertson Homes officially marked the start of construction on the new base at St Leonard’s Lodge.
Robertson Homes, which has been working in collaboration with Fife Council for more than a decade, said it hoped to introduce “a high quality mixed use development” to the town, and confirmed plans to complete the project as early as June.
Located in the St Andrews’ Abbey Walk, the 6,500 sq ft business centre will provide bespoke commercial office space best suited to a mix of small and medium enterprises.
Previously, the St Leonard’s Lodge housed hundreds of pupils who attended St Leonard’s Girls’ School during the academic year.
However, by summer this year, the building will be completely transformed into a state-of-the-art business centre, ready to welcome its new tenants.
Commenting on the latest milestone in the project, Mrs Laird, who is Fife Council’s spokesperson for planning and economy, said: “I am delighted to officially mark work starting on this business centre that will support small and medium sized enterprises, back the creation of new jobs and foster innovation.
“Quality office space is in high demand in St Andrews, and this development will play an important role in further boosting the local economy.
“This is another step forward for us in realising our ambition for Fife to be the best place to do business.”
Plans for the business centre were approved in 2013 by Fife Council after an application was submitted for a change of use of the existing pupil accommodation building.
In addition to the conversion of the original Lodge, a new two-storey building will also be added to the centre that will complement the conversion.
John Murphy, managing director of Robertson Homes, said: “This site is very special to St Andrews for a number of reasons.
“It not only represents significant commercial opportunities for businesses looking to expand or start-up, but also represents the first new council homes built by the local authority for the town in 17 years.
“The Robertson team is entrenched in this development. To be building this new business centre means a great deal to us.
“We enjoy a good relationship with the St Andrews community and I am very much looking forward to seeing businesses enjoy their new office space.”