A MASSIVE £850 million revamp of the eyesore St James Centre was unveiled for the first time today in what is set to become the biggest city centre development for decades.
The scheme, which could be completed by 2015, includes new streets, two hotels, scores of shops and luxury flats, and public squares.
The existing shopping centre, adjoining office block and the Thistle Hotel – widely regarded as being among Edinburgh's ugliest buildings – would be demolished to make way for the development, which is designed to ensure the Capital can rival Glasgow and other cities as a major shopping destination.
In place of the 1973 "carbuncle", a three-storey, crescent-shaped arcade would be built – sweeping from Multrees Walk to the east end of Princes Street. The open-ended street would have a glass roof, with buildings made of stone, inspired by the historic 19th- century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan.
Lower floors of the development would be home to cafes, bars and restaurants with outdoor dining, while up to 90 shops could be included in the arcade, close to St Mary's Cathedral and along Leith Street, where the entire scheme would link to the existing John Lewis store.
Three distinctive new buildings would be built in front of the arcade, surrounded by a public square and a separate, open-air pedestrian walkway between Princes Street and Elder Street.
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CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE: Click here for an artist's impression of the new-look St James area, which is set to rejuvenate the tired-looking east end of Princes Street At least one of the buildings would be likely to house a hotel, with anywhere between 80 and 150 flats developed alongside – many with spectacular views of the Forth.
A landmark "iconic" building – which could either tower above the development or be similar in height – would form the centrepiece of the scheme, likely to form part of the main hotel with a rooftop garden and Castle views.
Chris Pyne, senior portfolio manager at Henderson Global Investors – owners of the shopping centre and the New St Andrew House office block – said the proposals were designed to transform the site into a "world-class" destination.
"This redevelopment will provide a major boost to the retail offer in the heart of the Scottish capital," he said.
"We plan a contemporary and commercially vibrant development that will sensitively integrate into the urban fabric of Edinburgh.
"We recognise the significant public interest in the St James area, and the importance it holds for the future of the city.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a positive difference to a city of global stature – and we want to move forward by working hand-in-hand with the local community that it serves."
The developer's vision also includes another hotel in front of St Mary's Cathedral, on council-owned land. The cathedral area would be sympathetically revamped, with a public square, cafes and restaurants, and another walkway leading to the main shopping area.
Main roads around the east end of the site are due to be re-modelled to accommodate a tram and bus interchange on Picardy Place instead of the existing roundabout, and there are plans to include a three-storey underground car park accessed from Elder Street.
The designs were today set to be revealed at the St James Shopping Centre as part of an eight-week public consultation, before an outline planning application is submitted to the city council in April. Demolition work could get underway in 2010, with the project completed five years later.
Edinburgh architect Allan Murray, along with the Building Design Partnership (BDP), was selected to draw up the scheme.
Mr Murray said the buildings would be of similar height to other properties on Princes Street and George Street, with a gentle slope towards Leith Walk, while the crescent-shaped galleria would be a natural extension from Multrees Walk.
The iconic central building in front of the arcade has been placed to follow the axis of both George Street and Leith Walk, acting as a focal point. Members of the public will be asked to comment on how tall it should be.
"This plan will transform the St James Centre area into a new urban quarter with high-quality buildings and public spaces, allowing it to fulfil its proper role as the commercial heart of Edinburgh's historic city centre," Mr Murray said.
The scheme would also include a number of new offices, as well as the huge number of new shops – up from 50 units at present. The amount of retail unit space would nearly triple. The project is also designed to ensure the area has mixed-use facilities, as both an attractive place to live, or enjoy an evening meal.
Developers hope to attract shoppers from the expanding Waterfront development, which will largely be served by the city's new tram network.
The modern car park will also be a significant improvement on existing arrangements. The future of the footbridge between the centre and Greenside remains to be decided.
The Thistle Hotel, which would be demolished in a break from previous proposals, would either be re-located elsewhere in the Capital, or receive compensation.
The flagship John Lewis department store would remain at the site, but would be internally "reconfigured".
Ron Hewitt, chief executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "The proposed redevelopment represents a massive opportunity not only for Edinburgh, but also Scotland.
"The plan for the St James quarter is the most significant investment in the heart of the city in decades and will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the city centre, particularly Princes Street."
Henderson Global has already been involved in one of the UK's premier retail developments – Birmingham's Bullring.
The firm bought the St James Centre for £184m in July 2006. The sale was the second time the complex had changed hands in the previous six months.
The chances of redeveloping the centre in the past were hampered by the fact that two parts of the site were owned by different people.
But Henderson Global also purchased the now-redundant office block, which was abandoned by Scottish Office civil servants in the early 1990s in favour of Leith's Victoria Quay, marking the first time in 30 years that both interests were held by the same owner.
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The public exhibition will take place in St James Centre on the main shopping level opposite the Royal Bank of Scotland ATMs from today until March 17.•
The plans can also be viewed online by visiting the website www.stjamesshopping.com.The full article contains 1124 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
