Plans have been revealed for the future of one of Edinburgh’s best-known arts venues, with Summerhall set to remain at the heart of a wider new cultural quarter.
Edinburgh developer AMA has opened a public consultation on proposals for the former Royal Dick Veterinary College site, which could eventually include new homes, hotel accommodation, businesses, food and drink venues and improved public spaces alongside its existing arts and cultural uses.
The emerging plans also envisage the partial demolition of some buildings on the sprawling complex, while the majority of its listed buildings would be retained and adapted.
Summerhall, close to The Meadows in the city’s Southside, has become one of Edinburgh’s most important independent cultural venues since the veterinary college left the building in 2011.
It is home to artists, creative businesses and organisations and has become a key venue during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The future of the complex has been the subject of considerable uncertainty since its owners announced in 2024 that it was being put up for sale.
Edinburgh-based AMA entered into a contract in April 2025 to acquire Summerhall from Oesselmann Estate Limited, with the deal dependent on securing satisfactory planning consent.
The developer is now working with architects Kettle Collective on plans intended to retain the site’s cultural role while bringing significant new investment into the ageing complex.
Planning documents show the proposed mixed-use development could include an arts centre with cultural, community and venue spaces alongside commercial leisure, food and drink businesses, small shops and office space.
Hotel or visitor accommodation is also being considered, as well as residential development consisting of a mixture of co-living accommodation, student housing and apartments.
The plans also propose landscaping and new public spaces, while pedestrian routes through the complex would be improved.
A Proposal of Application Notice submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council describes the project as involving the “partial selective demolition” of existing buildings followed by the redevelopment of the site.
Dr Ali Afshar, co-founder and managing director of AMA, said: “Our vision for an Arts Quarter builds on what makes Summerhall special. Art and culture will remain at its heart.”
Summerhall Arts currently operates the year-round artistic programme at the venue and has continued to develop its work since taking on a greater role in running its cultural programme.
Pre-application discussions have already taken place with Edinburgh council.
Summerhall has a complex history stretching back long before its current incarnation as an arts venue.
Parts of the site were previously occupied by a brewery and two churches before it became home to the Veterinary College in the early 20th century.
The complex was expanded significantly over subsequent decades, including the addition of modernist buildings between 1967 and 1971 and its distinctive tower.
A public drop-in event will take place at Summerhall on Wednesday, 7 October, between 3pm and 7.30pm, where people will be able to inspect the emerging proposals and speak to members of the project team.
The current consultation runs until Friday, 23 October.
AMA said feedback would be used to develop the proposals further before it aims to submit a formal planning application at the beginning of 2027.