View towards Scott Monument from New St Andrew's House

Category

Library Item

Item no

41701

Title

View looking towards the Scott Monument and Edinburgh Castle from the 5th floor of New St Andrew's House, prior to demolition

Artist / maker

Ansell, Andrew J L

Date

2016

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

New St Andrew's House was built as part of the St James Centre development, on the site of the eighteenth century St James Square which was demolished in 1965. The new building was completed in 1970 and occupied for the first time in 1974 by the former Scottish Office. It was closed during 1995-96 and remained empty, partly due to the asbestos which had been used in its construction. As a concrete building in the Brutalist style, with cliff face elevations and unattractive fenestration, it faced substantial public opposition when it was first built, and continued to be a somewhat controversial development.

It was demolished along with the neighbouring St James Centre and Thistle Hotel. John Lewis being the only part of the St James Centre to continue trading throughout the demolition and construction of the new development, designed by Allan Murray Architects. The retail centre, which opened on 24 June 2021, has more than 80 shops, a food hall and a variety of restaurants. A cinema is also due to open, as well as the 12 storey W hotel with its controversial 'ribbon' design, an aparthotel and 152 apartments which are expected to be completed in 2022.
The Dunard Centre concert hall, designed by Sir David Chipperfield, will link the St James Quarter with St Andrew Square when it is completed in 2025.

The Scott Monument was built as a memorial to the writer Sir Walter Scott. Construction took place between 1840-1846 on the George Kemp design. Two hundred and eighty seven steps take you to the top, offering views along Princes Street.

Edinburgh Castle is perhaps the city's most famous landmark. It stands on top of the remaining core of an extinct volcano. Excavations suggest the site was inhabited by Bronze Age man as early as 900 BC, and was fortified by Iron Age man roughly 2000 years ago. The oldest part of the present day Castle is St Margaret's Chapel, built in the early 12th century. The Castle holds the Honours of Scotland and more recently has welcomed back the Stone of Scone otherwise known as the Stone of Destiny.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Domes

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Edinburgh Castle

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Scott Monument

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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