Work begins on £12m Edinburgh printmaking studio

Edinburgh Printmakers has begun work to create its new home at Castle Mill Works in Fountainbridge.The home of the former North British Rubber Factory is set to be transformed into a £12.3 million creative hub hosting a new Centre of Excellence for Printmaking and Creative Industries Hub.A focal point for the local community, the development of Castle Mill Works will allow Edinburgh Printmakers to extend its work as a leading arts charity; bringing together artists and visitors to offer everyone a direct experience of Printmaking.Inside Castle Mill Works visitors will be welcomed to a world-class cultural facility housing galleries, a learning studio, a state-of-the-art printmaking workshop, creative studios, a cafe and much more.Architects Page/Park have been appointed to bring the Grade C listed Castle Mill Works into public use for the first time in its 160-year history. Complementing the architectural design and retaining links to the history of the building, a series of permanent artwork commissions will be sited throughout the building.Over £10m has been successfully secured from funders including the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Government, Creative Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland as well as trusts and foundations including Garfield Weston Foundation and The Robertson Trust allowing construction to start on the building which is due to be completed in 2019.Following a tender process Interserve has been awarded the contract to deliver Page/Park’s vision for the site.Interserve’s divisional director, Martin Smith, added: “We are delighted to be starting this prestigious project for Edinburgh Printmakers and to be working once again with PagePark Architects. This new work comes just as we have successfully completed another exceptional historic building redevelopment with PagePark in Edinburgh and affirms our position as one of the Capital’s premier restorers of iconic listed buildings. Our commitment to measured growth and sustainable development in Scotland, partnering with valued clients like Edinburgh Printmakers, is cemented in this contract.”A public fundraising drive has been launched and by donating towards the campaign members of the public will have their name ‘immortalised’ in print within the new building.Supporters of the project can also become Friends of Edinburgh Printmakers giving regular donations at a variety of levels in return for exclusive rewards and EP Circle Patrons giving large donations will have the opportunity to receive a limited edition print created specially by Edinburgh Printmakers Artist Patrons John Byrne, Callum Innes or Rachel Maclean.The public can also help Edinburgh Printmakers reach the £12.5m target by texting CMWS001 to 70191 to give £10 or by visiting www.edinburghprintmakers.co.uk.