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March 2014
Fountainbridge office scheme submitted

Fountainbridge office scheme submitted

March 21 2014

Michael Laird Architects have submitted a revised planning application for a 4,000sq/m office development at Fountainbridge, Edinburgh on behalf of Scottish Widows.

The scheme will entail partial demolition of the existing Lothian House to allow construction of a mixed-use extension; including retail and basement parking.

This will see a 1955 extension to the art-deco landmark at 54a Fountainbridge, built by Woolworths, demolished to make way for a new-build element.

Defending this demolition in their heritage report Michael Laird, said: “… the original three bays of Lothian House to Fountainbridge are of a lower architectural quality than the principal elevation and hence do not conform to the formal presence of the principal elevation…”

A sedum roof will be incorporated

The new block will rise on the corner of Fountainbridge and Semple Sytreet

4 Comments

#1 Posted by Egbert on 21 Mar 2014 at 14:25 PM

I like this - the pared-back lines and gridded composition work well, particularly alongside the rather heavy deco-classical of Lothian House. It's also a damn sight better than the confused mess opposite by Cre8, and a significant improvement on Lairds' overscaled and fussy Reiach photocopy job up the road on West Port. Good stuff. Also - a timely reminder that not every new development in Edinburgh has to be awkwardly cloaked in sandstone.

#2 Posted by Egbert on 21 Mar 2014 at 14:26 PM

Somehow suspect that the landlord won't be inviting Farmfoods back to fill their glamorous new retail offer...