The doors will close tonight on the St James Centre which has been a focus for shoppers in the East end of the city for around 40 years.
We may go for a last nostalgic look inside the centre which at the time it was built revolutionised the way we shopped, moving us from the established shopping area of Princes Street to a purpose built area with places to eat and drink.
The closure of the whole centre including the King James Hotel will pave the way for demolition of all of the buildings there except John Lewis which will remain open throughout the four year development period.
The development will be funded by an innovative funding method devised by the council, the developers and The Scottish Government which will provide the local infrastructure and public space.
Plans for the new £850 million development include 250 flats, a picture house cinema, the new W Hotel and over 1 million sq ft of shopping units. With 1800 parking spaces and redeveloped and improved public areas, the development is billed as the most exciting in Edinburgh at the moment.
Henderson Global Investors bought the St James Centre and New St Andrew’s House in 2006 meaning that the site was in single ownership for the first time.
The scheme indulges the hotel designed by Justice + Whiles an architecture and interior design practice, along with local firm Allan Murray Architects who have been responsible for many recent developments in the Old Town and the Canongate. Controversial the design may be but planning approval was granted and the deal with Starwood Hotels announced in July 2016.
Stephen Wicks, Director of Shopping Centres at TH Real Estate, said: “From the outset, our intention has been to secure a truly world class hotel operator for Edinburgh St James, complementing the rest of the development and forming an integral part of the scheme’s vibrant offer. We are delighted to have finalised this deal with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and to be welcoming such an iconic and established brand as W Hotels to Scotland for the very first time.”
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