The Background

Build-to-Rent developments require interior design that strikes a balance between durability, efficiency, and target audience appeal. Every design must feel intentional and carefully considered. Properties need to feel aspirational and high-quality, but, as with any large-scale, multi-phase project, they must be executed cleverly to ensure they are operational, scalable, easily replicable, and cost-effective across a large number of units. All without compromising individuality or cohesion.

Vastint sought our strong background in build-to-rent, choosing us for our ability to smoothly project manage and execute operations on this scale. First at Sugar House Island, where we furnished hundreds of homes as part of an exciting regeneration project, and most recently, at their iconic development in Edinburgh. Lively and fun, the furnishings and design needed to be aligned with the same energy.

New Fountainbridge in Edinburgh brings 253 contemporary homes, ranging from sleek studios to spacious townhouses. The first half has already been delivered by InStyle Direct, with the remaining units also being completed by our team very soon.

The Challenge

Due to the nature of large-scale build-to-rent projects and phased rollouts in general, meticulous coordination, planning, and aftercare were required. Special attention is needed for active construction sites, which our team has expertise in.

InStyle’s business model is built on the belief that increased output should never come at the expense of care and attention to detail. Each unit demanded its own identity, tailored to its target demographic.

Each unit deserved to be furnished with its own personal touch, while weaving a cohesive and consistent design that echoes the urban lifestyle the development promotes. High-spec finishes and high-quality materials were essential, working in conjunction with considered themes. It was also crucial that these designs pay homage to waterside living, offering elevated urban living in line with New Fountainbridge.

As with any Build-to-Rent development, every design choice also needed to perform operationally as well as sustainably, balancing aesthetic appeal with long-term durability and livability, while also delivering strong rental returns for Vastint.

Our Approach

Design & Furnishing

The design for each unit was tailored to the number of bedrooms and floor plans while remaining cohesive with Vastint’s vision of modern, effortless living. In the first phase, we delivered 123 artfully designed flats with turnkey furnishing solutions at scale, along with considered window dressings for every unit. Three showhomes were also created alongside the rental units, including a one-bedroom, a two-bedroom, and a four-bedroom townhouse, each with its own vibrant, bold colour palette, high-spec finishes, and distinct design personality.

Phase two, which we are set to commence soon, will include an additional 130 modern flats. The rollout will also include a three-bedroom penthouse show home that will employ the same design principles of vibrant, exciting aesthetics, but with a higher-end specification fitting for the price bracket and target tenant to ensure the best return possible.

As with every project, our role goes beyond furnishing. It’s about strategy. We guide clients on where to invest more and where to scale back, ensuring budgets are allocated where they’ll have the most significant impact. In the case of the penthouse, this will involve elevating finishes and detailing to reflect its premium market position while maintaining efficiency across the broader scheme. This approach is built on decades of experience and proven results.

Operations & Logistics

The InStyle team, led by Directors Max and James and interior designer Nicole, created a tailored logistics plan to execute the innovative rollout efficiently. Working closely with Vastint’s construction partners, we made a tailored logistics schedule that included fine-tuning multiple deliveries and installations around ongoing site activity, ensuring seamless progress without compromising quality or timeline.

Close coordination with the building contractors and working with the site managers was essential for smooth coordination and critical to managing the complexity of a live construction environment while maintaining our signature for precision and reliability. Together with Zhaleah’s (Vastint’s Head of Lettings and Sales) bold vision, our collaborative team stringently reviewed each unit’s core design and its impact on the entire scheme, which included coordinated window dressings to complete the look.

Safety & Sustainability

Safety standards are particularly paramount for build-to-rent projects, and were managed with the utmost care and handled with paramount importance. As a sustainability-forward company, we approach every project with consideration for the environment and responsible sourcing. At New Fountainbridge, we used recycled materials wherever possible and ensured that all installation waste was repurposed, continuing our ongoing commitment to being known as a green company.

The Outcome

Immediate rental uptake, waitlist demand and a continuation of a design-led partnership that began at Sugar House Island continues to evolve with every project we take on together with Vastint, including Newfountain Bridge.

However, the success of a Build-to-Rent project isn’t just measured by numbers. It’s built on trust, creativity, and relationships that grow stronger with every phase. Our partnership with Vastint has become precisely that. A shared commitment to thoughtful design and seamless delivery at scale. Zhaleah’s strategic leadership was paramount to the project’s success, ensuring the results aligned with the vibrant community Vastint has created in the heart of Edinburgh.

From concept to completion, every detail was considered to ensure personality, comfort, and style, creating spaces and a community where tenants feel excited to live and be a part of.