Posted on 20 Apr 2009

The final phase of Bell’s Mills is released at the end of April, signalling the completion of this secluded development on the banks of the Water of Leith.

Part of the Dean Conservation Area, Bell’s Mills is a stone’s throw from the Gallery of Modern Art and Dean Gallery.

It sits on the site of an historic water mill and granary dating to the 1800s and has already proved popular with buyers looking for a contemporary home, a short walk from Haymarket and the West End.

Now the final phase of sixteen two and three bedroom apartments – and one penthouse – will be released onto the market.

The penthouse is the last of only four at the development and is expected to attract particular interest.

Developed by Bell’s Mills Limited, the joint venture between BUREDI and residential developers Bishop Loch, the apartments adjoin the newly-restored Bell’s Mills House, a detached family home and garden dating from 1780, which is also for sale.

The show apartment interior has been designed by Eileen Kesson of Envision, who took her inspiration for the colour palette from the wooded riverside of the Water of Leith.

All apartments have balconies, while some of the larger apartments and the penthouse have substantial terraces so that residents can enjoy the views along the river.

Next to the contemporary development, the five-bedroom, five-public roomed, 18th century Bell’s Mills House has retained its original Georgian features including shuttered windows, fireplace surrounds and decorative plaster work while featuring elegant, contemporary bathrooms and kitchen. The front garden has several mature trees and to the rear, a small garden mostly laid to lawn with a decked seating area, provides a low maintenance and sheltered sun trap.

Acting Chief Executive of EDI, and Chair of BUREDI, John Mark Di Ciacca, said that the development continues to prove attractive to buyers:

“We believe that the unique location and the high quality design are a winning combination. Bell’s Mills offers a restful retreat just 10 minutes’ walk from the heart of the city.

“We expect this final phase to continue to be attractive to buyers looking for a contemporary home in a conservation area, that’s close to many of Edinburgh’s cultural attractions.”

Matthew Benson, New Homes director of the Bell’s Mills sales agents, Rettie & Company said:

“Located in the Dean Conservation Area and surrounded by some of the city's finest Georgian architecture, Bell's Mills rubs shoulders with some of Edinburgh's most desirable addresses. With the developers offering added incentive in the form of price reductions of up to £70,000, Bell's Mills offers excellent value for money to those wishing to move up the property ladder or investors looking for properties with good projected rental yield.

“Daily statistics and news reports may give the impression of a stagnant new build market but while depressed, it is also dynamic. Windows of opportunity such as that currently offered to shrewd buyers and investors by Bell's Mills will be few and far between.”

The Show apartment is open to view on Sundays  12 - 5pm and by appointment at other times (tel. 0131 315 4808). The show apartment can also be viewed on a new e-tour.

For further information call selling agents Rettie and Company on site on 0131 315 4808, out with the site opening hours please contact 0131 220 4160 or email bellsmill@rettie.co.uk or visit www.bellsmill.co.uk

For media enquiries please call Giselle Dye, Pagoda PR on 0131 556 0770 giselle.dye@pagodapr.com  

Notes for Editors
1. There are 16 apartments being released in phase 2. These are mostly two and three bedroom apartments, and one three-bedroomed penthouse.
2. Prices range from £360,000 for a two-bedroom to £525,000 for a three bedroomed apartment.
3. Specifications include individually designed kitchens by leading manufacturer ALNO, with integrated combination washing machine/tumble dryers, oven and hob, cooker hood and integrated fridge/freezer. Each apartment also features Hansgrohe taps. Engineered board flooring is installed in the living areas with sliding doors off the main living space.
4. History of Bell’s Mills. Bell’s Mills was historically Edinburgh’s largest milling settlement. The site may have been known as Deans Mills when milling began in the mid 16th century. As the mills developed throughout the 17th century, buildings included two flour mills and granary buildings served by the mill lade. During its earlier history the site was also home to kilns, barns, homes for workers’ families, malting structures and a doocot. There is also a record of a skinner occupying part of the site in the mid 16th century. SUAT archaeologists were particularly excited to uncover evidence of the mill structures; industrial features such as a well and boiler and square pits associated with the tanning process. Historic remnants of the water-powered mill, a classic designed rubble-walled granary of the early 1800s have been preserved to form an integral and important feature of the development.
5. BUREDI is a joint venture between The Burrell Company and The EDI Group. It has an award winning portfolio of developments in and around the city of Edinburgh including the £15m Tron development, the award-winning Coalhill development in Leith, the Traverse Theatre at West Bow and the popular Belford Road development in the West End of Edinburgh.