The £4.9 million Fleming Place site, under construction by J Smart & Company in partnership with Bield Housing and Care, is on track to be completed in February 2018.

Interior works are well underway as the building is now completely wind and water tight with many apartments progressing as far as the decorating stage. Externally, renders and brickworks are complete with scaffolding being removed while internal joiner, electrical and plumber second fix works are approaching 50% completion.

The properties will provide tenants with the high quality features typical of the care and housing provider’s properties. With a focus on being ‘barrier free’ with level access shower rooms and enhanced security, the apartments will offer the highest level of independent living in line with Bield’s ‘Free to Be’ ethos.

Caryn Innes, head of development at Bield, said: “We are delighted to see this project progressing on time as we play our part in ensuring that Scotland leads the way in providing affordable, quality homes.

“Delivering new affordable housing which meets the needs of the older people in Edinburgh and Scotland is at the very heart of what Bield does.

“This development has been made possible with the help of the Scottish Government and is a fantastic example of what can be achieved by the private and public sectors working in partnership.”

Located on the site of the former Eastern General Hospital, the Fleming Place development will create 40 apartments for people aged 50 and over.

Alasdair Ross, director at J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) PLC, said: “We are delighted to be working with Bield to produce much needed accommodation of this type in Edinburgh.

“Fleming Place will help provide high-quality housing to meet demand and we are pleased to be playing a part in that.”

Bield’s housing is designed especially with the older person in mind with different levels of service available to suit people with varying needs and includes some 5000 units across 23 local authority areas.

As a specialist provider of housing and care for older people, Bield has always been at the forefront of developing new property options to support their needs, particularly in areas that are traditionally out with the scope of charities.

This theme, matched with a clear ethos of giving older people greater independence and choice, set against tough financial demands, has seen Bield embark on a new strategy for property development.