Holmes Miller targets Scottish social housing sector with Coltart Earley takeover

Holmes Miller has acquired Glasgow practice Coltart Earley Architecture (CEA).

The deal, completed at the start of the month, is intended to grow Holmes Miller’s presence in the social and affordable housing sectors and follows the retirement of CEA co-founder Stewart Earley in 2023.

Set up in 1990 by Bill Coltart and Earley, CEA has delivered projects for more than 70 housing associations and local authorities across Scotland. Coltart will continue to play an active role following the acquisition, with the CEA name to remain in use for now.

Holmes Miller, which has operated for more than 75 years, also has studios in St Albans and Leeds. The practice works across education, sport, leisure, civic and residential sectors, with a focus on sustainable and low-carbon design.

CEA’s current projects include the Cairn Road residential development for East Ayrshire Council and a 98-home Passivhaus scheme for East Dunbartonshire Council. Both will continue under the existing team.

Holmes Miller managing director Callum Houston said: “I am delighted to confirm the acquisition of Coltart Earley Architecture as we continue to grow the Holmes Miller portfolio.

“CEA’s impressive record across both private and public housing complements our own residential offering such as the recently completed award winning Park Quadrant Residences with Ambassador Homes and the planning consent achieved for 400+ Build-to-Rent apartments in Glasgow with KR Developments.”

Houston said the move provided Holmes Miller with “a springboard into the social and affordable housing market at a time when the UK Government’s new 10-year, £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme presents an unparalleled opportunity to make real, positive impact”.

Coltart said: “I am immensely proud of what we’ve achieved at Coltart Earley Architecture over the past 35 years, having delivered affordable housing, community facilities and conservation architecture to over 70 different housing associations and local authorities in Scotland.

“Joining Holmes Miller marks the next exciting chapter for the practice — one that ensures our clients continue to receive the personal, high-quality service they value, now supported by the resources and reach of a national, award-winning firm.”

Holmes Miller’s recent projects include Buntingford First School in Hertfordshire, designed to achieve net zero carbon, Blairgowrie Recreation Centre in Perthshire, expected to be Scotland’s first Passivhaus leisure centre, and the £1bn HMP Glasgow project.