Former Edinburgh school to be transformed into extra care community

Former Edinburgh school to be transformed into extra care community

Lansdowne House

A former school site in Edinburgh is to be developed as an extra care community following its sale.

Landsdowne Campus, located in the Murrayfield area on the outskirts of the city, was purchased by extra care developer-operator Vivere last year, marking its first venture into Scotland.

The sale was handled by Savills on behalf of St George’s School. The site previously accommodated the school’s middle school campus, which has now been relocated to their main site for the 2025/26 academic year.

The site is approximately 2.2 acres and includes Lansdowne House, originally constructed in 1875 as a private dwelling. The property is Category C listed, as is the original Lodge House, stone boundary wall and gate pier.

Detailed planning permission for the redevelopment of the site was granted by City of Edinburgh Council in July 2026. Designed by architectural practice CDA, the plans include the refurbishment and restoration of the listed buildings, as well as the creation of 48 extra care homes, and communal facilities including a bar, bistro, library, gym and therapy room.

Redevelopment work is expected to begin in the new year.

Sarah Middlehurst, associate in the Scotland Development team at Savills, said: “The completion of this sale is an exciting opportunity to deliver a new type of care service to Edinburgh, as well as long-term investment in a heritage site and job creation, which will boost the Edinburgh economy. Securing the future of Landsdowne Campus as an extra care community is a fantastic outcome and a transaction, we are very pleased to have worked on.”

Scott Curran, co-founding director of Vivere, said: “The purchase of Landsdowne Campus represents an important step in our plans to create best-in-class extra care communities in Edinburgh.

“Our approach is rooted in partnership, and we will work with leading Scottish businesses, suppliers and care operators to deliver high-quality services and amenities for future residents. In doing so, the development will support new jobs and investment across the city, alongside the employment generated during construction.”

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