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October 12, 2004
St James's Centre, Edinburgh
South entrance of the St James’s Centre shopping mall Photo © S Holledge
Jim Gilchrist has an interesting article on Edinburgh’s ‘most unpopular building’, the St James’s Centre. (Did they forget about the Appleton Tower?)
It comes as a shock to learn that the St James’s Centre site was originally a two-level shopping street resembling Victoria Street. So much for conservation! I am pleased to see that the Cockburn Association are for demolition.
Empty office block at the back of the St James’s Centre from James Craig Walk Photo © S Holledge
One architect offering advice is Allan Murray who was responsible for the tinted-glass Omni cinema complex building opposite, but isn’t that almost as bad as the St James’s Centre itself?
The Omni Cinema Complex Photo © S Holledge
news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1182242004
Posted by Simon Holledge at October 12, 2004 12:56 AM
Comments
I agree.
Posted by: Stuart Dickson at October 18, 2004 10:06 AM
Oh yes, I hope they get rid of St James', and the Appleton Tower while they're at it. The latter has to be worse because it dominates the skyline and you see it everywhere. I sincerely hope it's an urban myth that it is a listed building and can't be demolished..?? A pretty picture.
Posted by: Amy at October 25, 2004 01:01 AM
A friend tells me that part of the Appleton Tower is now being renovated inside which doesn't sound hopeful. I have yet to see a picture of the building which is to go in front of it (occupying the present Crichton Street car park). Maybe the Appleton Tower will serve as an excuse for an bit of architecture that is almost as bad.
The university, to their shame, have done more damage to the city than any developer!
Posted by: Simon Holledge at October 25, 2004 10:36 AM