Derelict Edinburgh brewery to be transformed into Social Hub as part of £200m regeneration project

The Social Hub has unveiled plans to revamp a derelict brewery building in Edinburgh in a £200 million redevelopment.

The company, which combines hotel stays, student accommodation, and hybrid working, has already launched in Glasgow and now has its sights set on the former Fountain Brewery.

The site has been out of use for more than two decades, and developers are now looking to convert the building into a 580-bed facility that includes student, hotel, and extended-stay accommodations.

It is part of a wider regeneration of old factory sites in the Fountainbridge area and is hoped to deliver 100 jobs, support more than 280 roles, and boost the city’s economy by £15.5m.

Public spaces will include a restaurant, café, rooftop bar, clubhouse, theatre, and a state-of-the-art gym.

The development will have a fixed co-working area for up to 300 people and flexible space for thousands more.

The Social Hub founder, Charlie MacGregor, grew up in Edinburgh before moving to Amsterdam, where the company is headquartered.

The company has since grown and operates 21 locations across 19 countries, with its first Scottish site opening in Glasgow in 2024.

Mr MacGregor said: “Submitting these plans is a landmark moment – not just for The Social Hub, but for me personally.

“Edinburgh is my home city, and bringing our model here is something I’ve dreamed of for years. We’ve listened closely to the Fountainbridge community, understood what the area needs, and shaped a scheme designed to make a lasting, positive impact.

“Glasgow has shown the power of our model to bring students, neighbours, entrepreneurs, and visitors together.

“Now we want to spark that same energy in Edinburgh – a place woven into the life of the city, where connection and creativity don’t just happen, they thrive, and where social impact becomes part of everyday life.”