Prestigious industry award for O'Shea Hall

Award winning development

The University's development at Holyrood North has been awarded the The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) President's Award for Placemaking. O’Shea Hall is named in recognition of the achievements of Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University since 1 October 2002, who is demitting office in early 2018. The residences at O’Shea Hall are self-catered, providing a living and social environment for 1180 postgraduate students. The development is located in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Edinburgh’s Old Town, and offers a mix of contemporary and affordable residential accomodation.    

The development has already won Best University Halls of Residence at the first Student Accommodation Awards, organised by Property Week, and was named inaugural Student Accommodation Development of the Year at the Annual Scottish Property Awards.  O’Shea Hall’s Levels Café and Lounge, which is also open to the public, has won the Interior Design Award at the Scottish Design Awards.

I'm delighted we received this particular award as it resonates with what we are trying to do – not just creating great buildings but making sure they sit comfortably in their setting and creating a sense of place

June 2017