Hoskins Architects were appointed by Chris Stewart Group to develop proposals for the comprehensive redevelopment of an under-utilized area and to bring new life to existing, redundant buildings and surrounding lanes on a prominent, urban site in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town World Heritage Site and Conservation Area. The project involves the redevelopment of four existing buildings that front onto South St Andrew Street and West Register Street, and has a significant presence on the south east corner of St Andrew Square.

The proposed mixed use development carefully knits the requirements for Category A office space and high quality restaurant, café, bar, and retail units into a complex, historic setting, whilst revealing the fine details of a listed Venetian Gothic warehouse that sits within the site. New build elements respond to the scale, proportion and character of adjacent buildings, streets and lanes, with natural stone cladding carefully interspersed with precast concrete bands. The proposal includes a comprehensive and considered strategy for the site in its wider context.