Raining’s Stairs, Inverness

The Raining’s Stairs project was completed in Autumn 2018.  The project has revitalised a long-vacant ‘problem’ site in the heart of Inverness, which had suffered from considerable anti-social behaviour problems. 

The projects provides sixteen units of social housing, along with a small commercial unit. 

The project team were diligent in researching and understanding the site; in working with local community bodies and the local authority; and in testing design ideas – to be fully confident that the final proposal would address the specific site complexities and create a building which would make a tangible, positive impact on this part of Inverness; and bring lasting improvements to the lives of the residents.

The incredibly complex site had been vacant for decades and, despite several planning consents having been granted, created specific technical challenges which no previous proposal solved. 

We feel that the project delivers an outstanding example of affordable housing, and shows how a committed, hard-working group of clients, contractors, and designers can work together to create something which is truly transformative.  The Raining’s Stairs delivers affordable housing within the overall city centre regeneration effort.