Ogilvie Construction has started work on a £24 million project to build two new student housing buildings for Ziggurat Student Living in central Edinburgh.

Due for completion in 2015, the buildings are in Murano Place, which will provide 272 bedrooms and Shrubhill, which has accommodation for 260 students. The four storey buildings will incorporate public areas, as well as ground floor retail units.

The new housing is well located in an established student area close to the city centre and with excellent transport links.

Ziggurat Student Living has student accommodation projects in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Reading, and Dublin.

Donald MacDonald, managing director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this project by Ziggurat and work has already begun on site, with the buildings planned for completion in 2015.

“Our team has built up significant expertise in the student accommodation sector and these buildings will be completed to the highest modern construction standards.”

Jim Pike of Ziggurat Student Living, said: “The redevelopment of these two long derelict sites will be a perfect addition to our existing student property in Edinburgh at Wellgate House on the Cowgate. We have been working closely with Ogilvie for almost a year on the detailed design and the fine tuning of the construction prices for these two developments, and are very pleased to finally be on site following the site purchases in June.”