LOFT shortlisted at the 2026 RESI Awards for Dockside, Leith

LOFT's Dockside Project Shortlisted for 2026 RESI Award

Award Recognition for Leith Dockside Development

We're thrilled to announce that our Dockside project in Leith has been shortlisted as a finalist at the 2026 RESI Awards. The 225-apartment build-to-rent development earned recognition in the Best Residential Interior Design category (under 350 units).

The RESI Awards celebrate excellence in UK residential property. They recognize the best schemes, teams, and professionals setting new standards across the industry. This shortlist nomination is a proud moment for our us and honours the talented client, contractor, and consultant teams who collaborated on this project.

About the Dockside Development

Dockside is a large-scale build-to-rent community on Leith's waterfront. Our team at LOFT designed and furnished the complete interior package, including:

  • 225 residential apartments
  • Three show homes
  • Central events space
  • Shared working areas and meeting rooms
  • Games room, TV lounge, and library
  • Private dining rooms
  • Outdoor terraces
  • Design Inspired by Leith's Maritime Heritage

The design draws inspiration from Leith's harbor setting. We built the scheme on a calm neutral color palette, layered with soft blues and warm orange accents.

Every design choice supports how residents actually live their daily lives. Key features include:

Flexible Spaces REPREVE®-yarn voile partitions allow amenity rooms to transform between co-working spaces, dining areas, and social zones.

Built to Last We selected durable upholstery rated to 100,000 Martindale rubs for high-traffic areas.

Community-Focused Design Circular banquettes encourage interaction and connection between residents.

Inclusive Features

  • Pet-friendly show homes
  • Wheelchair-accessible layouts
  • Varied lighting and acoustic environments

Local Character Scottish-inspired materials, artwork, and accessories connect the building to its location.

Natalie Gray,
Design Manager at LOFT

"In collaboration with the developer and operator, LOFT applied our people-first design philosophy, placing the end user at the centre of every decision.

Across both amenity and residential spaces, a holistic approach was adopted to ensure a seamless relationship between living and social environments. Drawing on the distinct character of Dockside Leith, the design delivers calm, welcoming interiors that balance functionality with identity—fostering meaningful resident interaction and supporting a strong sense of community."

Outstanding Resident Satisfaction

The results speak for themselves. Dockside residents have given the development:

  • 4.97 out of 5 rating on HomeViews
  • Five stars for Design
  • Five stars for Facilities

Consistent five-star Google reviews

People First Design Philosophy

Dockside showcases our People-First Design approach. This method places daily life at the heart of every specification, finish, and floor plan—not just visual appeal.

We view residential interiors as essential infrastructure, not marketing décor. Good interior design:

  • Retains residents long-term
  • Builds genuine community
  • Protects asset value
  • Creates emotional connection

Celebrating Success at the Awards Ceremony

We'll be supporting Dockside and the wider residential community at next week's RESI Awards ceremony.

Our heartfelt thanks go to:

  • The client and project teams whose vision made this scheme possible
  • Our LOFT designers, project managers, sourcing specialists, and installers whose expertise shows in every room

Want to learn more? Visit our Dockside project page to explore the full development. You can also discover how we apply People-First Design principles across our complete residential portfolio.

Benjamin Hall
Founder & CEO, LOFT