St James Centre, exterior

Category

Library Item

Item no

8618

Title

St James Centre, exterior

Description

The sign on the railings reads, 'This way out'.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1974

Size

11.4 x 8.8 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The St James Centre was situated on Leith Street, close to the east end of Princes Street in Edinburgh. The building took its name from James Craig’s St James Square which occupied the site until its demolition in 1965. The St James Centre was opened five years later and comprised a shopping area, the Thistle Hotel, a car park and New St Andrew's House, occupied until the late 1990s by the former Scottish Office. The development was faced with substantial public opposition at the time and continued to be a somewhat controversial building.

In 2017 it was demolished along with the neighbouring Thistle Hotel to make way for the St James Quarter. John Lewis was 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.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Places > Edinburgh areas > Calton

Places > Edinburgh areas > Princes Street

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Balmoral Hotel

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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