View of Courtyard, New St Andrew's House

Category

Library Item

Item no

41748

Title

View from 5th floor of New St Andrew's House looking to the interior courtyard, 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, a variety of restaurants and a cinema. There is also a 12 storey W hotel with its controversial 'ribbon' design, an aparthotel and 152 apartments. The Dunard Centre concert hall, designed by Sir David Chipperfield, will link the St James Quarter with St Andrew Square.

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View of courtyard, New St Andrew's House