Edinburgh's city centre development zone
Edinburgh’s city centre is at the heart of the neoclassical New
Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The primary shopping
and commercial district of Edinburgh, it also features visitor
attractions, hotels and residential properties.
Balancing the development of a thriving city centre against the
need to safeguard the capital’s built heritage requires strong
leadership. In recognition of this, the City of Edinburgh Council
has produced a framework that sets out a vision for the future of
Princes Street and the surrounding environs. The realisation of
this vision is currently being driven by investment from a range of
sectors, including retailers, property developers, hoteliers and
the public sector.
City Centre Focus;
- Improving infrastructure and
public realm to enhance connectivity in the city centre for both
residents & visitors
- attract new commercial inward
investment in the city centre as well as assisting existing
investors
- Supporting commercial
development.
A number of flagship developments are underway across Edinburgh
city centre.
At the east end of Princes Street, construction will begin early
in 2012 on the £850 million redevelopment of the St James
Quarter by Henderson Global Investors, creating 7,000 jobs. The
development will include two new hotels, cafés, restaurants,
160,000 square feet of office space, 1,800 underground parking
spaces and up to 250 apartments.
Work continues on the £130 million upgrade of Waverley Station,
with owner Network Rail awarding Balfour Beatty a £50 million
contract to replace the 34,000m2 cloud glass roof with clear glass
panels, allowing more natural sunlight into the building. Other
planned improvements include enhancements to the Princes Street and
Market Street entrances and the demolition of vacant buildings on
the concourse. The project is scheduled to be completed by
2013.
At Edinburgh's west end, the
Haymarket Interchange proposal will transform
the whole area into a transport hub, a bespoke public space and a
key Western gateway to the city centre.
Fountainbridge to the west of the city centre is also the focus
of increasing development activity. AMA, Grosvenor and the Royal
Bank of Scotland are developing Springside, a
new eight acre landscaped neighbourhood at Fountain North featuring
more than 600 new homes, 140,000 sq ft of office space, shops and
facilities. Meanwhile HBOS has purchased Scottish & Newcastle's
former Fountainbridge Brewery site at Fountain South with the
intention of building a £100m campus-style headquarters.
Other key strategic developments in the city
centre include:
EICC & HI site
- Development on site to build an extension to the
existing Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) and
an additional 186,000sq.ft of Grade A spec offices.
Primark - 91/93
Princes Street, New build development of Primark retail store
extending to 75,000sq.ft.
Haymarket goods yard site
- The £200m+ scheme has planning consent
granted for 440,000sq ft of Grade A office space, 55,000sq.ft
retail, car park and a 245 bed hotel adjacent to Haymarket Railway
Station.
Quartermile -
Mixed use development on the former site of the Edinburgh Royal
Infirmary. Part of the development has already been completed
which includes residential flats, retail and offices. Further
consents in place to build more residential and commercial space
such as 2 new office buildings “QM3” and “QM4” which would extend
to 57,500sq.ft and 127,500sq.ft respectively.
Caltongate - £200m
mixed use scheme in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Has the potential
to see a new 5-star hotel developed alongside up to 200
residential units and 250,000sq ft of office development. Planning
consent granted in 2008. Discussions ongoing with interested
parties to deliver the existing consented scheme.
The
future...
The ongoing strong investment in the city centre reflects a
renewed commitment to development by the city’s civic and business
leaders. In partnership with key stakeholders, the City of
Edinburgh Council can deliver a world-class modern city centre that
celebrates the best of Scotland’s built heritage.
