Northern Irish construction company, McLaughlin & Harvey, has successfully completed the unique Gasholder 1 Park in Edinburgh, marking a significant milestone in the £1.3 billion regeneration of Granton Waterfront.

The new public park, which officially opened on Friday 4 April, is situated within the fully restored gasholder, offering striking views over the Firth of Forth.

The delivery of this complex project by the Newtownabbey-headquartered firm involved intricate engineering challenges, including the deconstruction of the old gasholder bell, the refurbishment of the listed steel structure, and the repainting of the frame. The successful completion of the 1.2-hectare park, created with £1.2 million funding from the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, underscores McLaughlin & Harvey's expertise in civil engineering and restoration.

Council Leader Jane Meagher joined Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur, alongside representatives from McLaughlin & Harvey, volunteers from Granton Hub, and members of Pianodrome, Scran Academy, and Craigyroyston Youth Football Club, to celebrate the park's opening. A member of the Craigroyston Youth Community Football Club had the honour of joining the Council Leader to cut the ribbon on Saturday 5 April, officially opening the space for residents and visitors.

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Graham Brown, Senior Contracts Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: "Gasholder 1 Park was a unique restoration project to deliver for the City of Edinburgh Council. In deconstructing the old bell, refurbishing the listed steel structure, and repainting the frame, we have solved complex engineering challenges. The ribbon cutting ceremony is a brilliant opportunity for McLaughlin & Harvey to celebrate the vast civil engineering experience of our team as well as the success achieved in our collaboration with our client and supply chain partners."

The new park features distinctive Hollywood-style lettering at its entrance, enhancing its visibility. It offers six distinct zones, including three play areas with a diverse range of equipment, ample outdoor space for exploration, and an inner ring walk with seating areas. An outdoor exhibition detailing the history of Granton gasworks and the restoration process has also been created.

The restoration of the iconic gasholder frame, partly funded by the UK Government, has transformed it into a beacon of light in north Edinburgh, with permanent illumination after dark. A new sculpture, commissioned by the Council following community input and designed by Svetland Kondakova Muir to depict a humpback whale, now stands at the park's centre.