Waverley Mall responds to St James Centre challenge
June 20 2018
Waverley Mall manager Moorgarth have come forward with proposals to rejuvenate the ageing shopping mall to maximise views to the OId Town while emphasising its role as a point of arrival and departure.
Sutherland Hussey Harris's solution aims to resolve layout issues with the current BDP design including ‘convoluted pathways’, ‘little amenity’ and an absence of ‘effective thoroughfares’ – compounded by the lack of any permanent retail.
The chosen solution creates a U-form rooftop ornamental garden echoing a Victorian market which once occupied the site, which will sit atop a new clearly defined urban space lined by shops, cultural facilities and amenities.
This will allow the existing pavement width to be doubled alongside creation of a flexible events and market courtyard, capable of being appropriated for use by multiple festival offerings.
“This simple U form plan establishes a well defined and coherent public place sheltered from the prevailing wind, whilst still allowing uninterrupted views from Princes Street across to the old town, the Castle and South Bridge.”
The Princes Street frontage will be enhanced with new units and a formalised events space
The so-called 'fifth elevation' of the roof has been modelled after the parterre style of formal garden
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12 Comments
#1 Posted by Dave on 20 Jun 2018 at 11:22 AM
@UR - shouldn't this be Sutherland Hussey Harris...?
#2 Posted by UR on 20 Jun 2018 at 11:23 AM
Yes!
#3 Posted by Dave on 20 Jun 2018 at 11:30 AM
Looks great - low key enough not to detract from Princes St / Old Town views, yet still forming an interesting structure and public space. Its about time that Edinburgh has a decent outdoor space in the city centre to hold markets, I can see this being well utilised. Fingers crossed it goes ahead.
#4 Posted by Sue Pearman on 20 Jun 2018 at 13:13 PM
Jesus no! The fundamental issue here is raising anything above eye level destroys the open aspect that is what we love about Princes Street. This resolves nothing and arguably makes the proposals worse - especially when the inevitable signage and shopfront display banners are overlaid.
#5 Posted by Daniel on 20 Jun 2018 at 16:30 PM
There was a similar application in 2002 that was thrown out - it was within the legal height limits the site has, but was still felt to impact too much on the views towards the Craggs. Be interesting to see what happens with this.
#6 Posted by Cadmonkey on 20 Jun 2018 at 17:47 PM
The view towards the Balmoral is the telling one.
It appears to impact too much on the views towards the crags.
Could be a track suit shop instead of the view coming our way!
It appears to impact too much on the views towards the crags.
Could be a track suit shop instead of the view coming our way!
#7 Posted by David on 21 Jun 2018 at 10:26 AM
CadMonkey, I agree. Let's knock down the Scotsman Building in the background too, as it also blocks the view towards the crags from this particular stand point. Or just walk 20 yards backwards and the problem will disappear...
#8 Posted by Philip on 21 Jun 2018 at 11:35 AM
Tiled roof is a very nice move. Facades look just ok...but very brown/ en-trend. Slightly disappointed as I expected something more timeless and innovative.
#9 Posted by alibi on 21 Jun 2018 at 23:48 PM
Don't know how much of the site they control but you'd hope the west side would manage a better relationship with the surrounding areas of paving.
#10 Posted by Sven on 25 Jun 2018 at 12:00 PM
Instead of green tiles the site could have shaped solar panels to help power the mall lighting. Another thought is to utilize that space for public use but that would involve balustrades and making sure it can bear the load.
If I were to have a hand I would like to see the exposed train lines along the gardens covered over and a 'canal' of water installed as a nod to the Nor Loch and to make the area more accessible to the public.
If I were to have a hand I would like to see the exposed train lines along the gardens covered over and a 'canal' of water installed as a nod to the Nor Loch and to make the area more accessible to the public.
#11 Posted by Terra on 2 Jul 2018 at 06:37 AM
Gerrit built!
#12 Posted by Mibee on 21 Aug 2018 at 09:26 AM
Notwithstanding the issue of the new horizon to the development there is a real missed opportunity to 'green' this development and by that I do not mean a token application of scrappy sedum.
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