(Image: Supplied)
The developer behind proposals to turn part of Summerhall into a hotel has expressed sympathy for artists who may be priced out of the cultural hub once redevelopment work is completed.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Herald, Dr Ali Afshar, managing director of AMA (New Town) Limited, outlined his vision for the venue and said he was doing all he could to ensure that arts provision continues at the site.
“We had a two-hour consultation with people that work within Summerhall before we opened it to the public,” he said.
“I learned quite a lot talking to all these people and I was quite distressed that a large proportion of them may not be able to afford to go back to Summerhall.
“I was asked questions like, ‘How can you guarantee I can come back? And can I afford to come back?’
Option 1 - one of the proposals for the future of Summerhall. (Image: AMA)
“And I got upset because I feel for them.
"This site has to be developed as a whole, so it has to shut down before it can be opened. It doesn't matter what happens, [everyone will] have to leave.”
Working alongside award-winning architect Tony Kettle, the firm has drawn up four options for the future of the complex, which once housed the University of Edinburgh’s veterinary school.
The historic frontage and 1920s-era building on Summerhall Place would be retained, while a hotel or flats would be built on Hope Park Terrace, along the northern side of the complex.
This would necessitate the demolition of the “cranked wing”, built as an extension to the original building in the 1940s.
On the other side of the complex, along Summerhall Square, the 1970s-era building which once served as an animal research lab would also be demolished and rebuilt.
Dr Afshar said that some of the buildings are in urgent need of repair, and warned that artists would be forced to leave within several years even if development work did not take place.
“I was concerned because a lot of young artists that are using the centre are there under false pretence because the facility has been provided for over the last 15 years, but no money has been spent to upkeep it,” he said.
“It could be two years, it could be five years, it won't be fit for purpose. In fact, if you look at it at the moment, it could be shut down on safety grounds.”
Dr Afshar also attended a public meeting about AMA’s plans for the complex.
“By and large, when you explain what we are doing and we are doing this now, people understand,” he told The Herald.
“They can see walking through the place that there's leaks, there are mushrooms growing on the walls and so they can understand why money and investment needs to go in there.
Blocks C and B as well as part of F1 could be demolished under proposals by AMA. (Image: AMA)
“But nevertheless, I felt sorry for those young artists that will want to be there and may not be able to afford to be there.”
Mr Kettle, who has also taken part in the consultation, remarked: “People understood that some parts are in a very bad state of repair.
“In order for something to happen, in order to generate the money to pay for it, it needs to come from somewhere.
“So then people start arguing about the uses, but the idea really was to try and ask people, what uses do you think could be complementary?
“They have to generate money in order to make the repairs, but what could be complementary [with the arts centre]?
Dr Afshar urged City of Edinburgh Council to find a “permanent solution” for public arts provision in the city.
“That's an issue for the city to realise that they can't just move these people about all the time,” he said, referencing the pending closure of St Margaret's House in Meadowbank.
Read more:
- 'There has to be financial value': Meet the men shaping the future of Summerhall
- The historic buildings earmarked for demolition under Summerhall redevelopment plans
- Ministers must step up to help creatives facing eviction from Scotland's arts spaces
“I don’t know enough about art to run an art centre. All I can do is provide an art facility for someone like Scot-ART or Summerhall Arts to carry on running it.
“It's up to them how they manage and allocate that space.”
Summerhall Arts, the charity set up in 2023 to manage the site, has said they will work with developers to ensure arts provision continues.
“Edinburgh’s name as the world’s festival city rests partly on places like Summerhall. Developers, like arts organisations, are remembered for what they leave behind, and I would much rather AMA be remembered as the owner who protected it,” said CEO Sam Gough.
“While our intention is to remain here and work with AMA to continue the provision of arts within Summerhall, the future space needs to be viable, and we are hopeful that the plans will provide that.”