View Across the Courtyard of New St Andrew's House

Category

Library Item

Item no

41796

Title

View across the internal courtyard of New St Andrew's House towards the Balmoral and Edinburgh Castle

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

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 Balmoral Hotel stands on the corner of North Bridge and Princes Street. The hotel was designed by William Hamilton Beattie. Its construction took place alongside that of the new North Bridge, and was completed in 1902. Formerly called the North British Hotel, it was owned by the North British Railway Company. It was sold by British Rail in the 1980s, and reopened in 1991 under its new name following extensive refurbishment. Its distinctive clock tower forms an unmistakable part of Edinburgh's skyline. It stands at just under 60 metres, with the clock face itself, designed by Hamilton and Inches, being taller than a double-decker bus.

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View across the courtyard of New St Andrew's House