Construction is well under way at the site of a £200m development project that will help create "thousands of jobs" to Edinburgh's west end.

The Haymarket Edinburgh development, comprising of office space, retail outlets, restaurants and bars, marked a construction milestone by 'breaking ground' on Friday afternoon.

Phase one of the project, set to be completed in 2018, will create 340,000ft of office space for the city, while a 165-bedroom hotel and underground car park will eventually be incorporated into the scheme.

The development is housed on the corner of Dalry Road and Morrison Street, adjacent from Haymarket Station, making it a prime location for driving business to the area, according to councillor Gavin Barrie, convenor of the economy committee:

"It is very welcome news that this key 'Edinburgh 12' site has reached such a significant milestone.

"The Haymarket Edinburgh is helping create real momentum in the area alongside other large-scale speculative office developments being built.

"With its prime location next to Haymarket station and tram stop, tHe Haymarket will bring thousands of jobs to the city during construction and once complete."

Graham Haydon-White, development director at Tiger Developments, said: "The importance of this cannot be underestimated, not only are we placing a ceremonial spade in the ground to mark the unprecedented removal of original tunnel earthworks dating back as far as 1840, it also clearly demonstrates our full commitment behind this landmark scheme as it advances towards phase one delivery in 2018.

"With the stage one build contract now in place, we are uniquely placed ahead of any other major mixed-use development in the capital."