July 28 2021

Detailed plans for a new build office block to replace the 1970s Rosebery House in Haymarket with a net-zero carbon alternative have been filed on behalf of insurance giant Aviva.

Led by 3DReid Architects the centrally located build would target the financial and tech sectors supplanting 8,000dsq/ft of floor space that is disconnected from the tram interchange with modern accommodation that maximises the site footprint.

Remedying the present frontage which presents an access ramp to the street the architects have opted to make use of underutilised peripheral spaces to create a more collegiate public realm that provides a more appropriate backdrop to the tram network.

In a statement 3DReid wrote: "Through study of the commercial architecture of the New Town, we have sought a contemporary reading of the predominant neoclassical language that is present within many of these buildings, appraising their rhythm and articulation in order to develop a proposal that, whilst progressive in its outlook, is more distinctly of its place than some of the more disparate aesthetics that have arisen in other contemporary development in the vicinity.

"Precast concrete has been proposed as the primary cladding material on account of its qualities and solidity being able to tonally reflect the unifying sandstone of the city’s historic built core."

Employing stepped massing to transition in scale to contain the nearby Haymarket Yards the scheme is nevertheless considered to have a low impact on key Castle sightlines.

External amenity includes a rooftop terrace on the sixth, seventh and eighth floors. A dedicated entrance to Haymarket Station will also be created to the east gable to provide overflow capacity for major events. 

6 Comments

#1 Posted by Hamish Ashcroft on 28 Jul 2021 at 19:49 PM

Because obviously the most environmentally friendly thing to do is to completely demolish a perfectly functional office building... Refurbishment doesn’t seem to be in the dictionary of most architects..

#2 Posted by MV on 29 Jul 2021 at 09:55 AM

#1 It's incredible the amount of blame architects receive for everything. I’m sure the architects were grilling the client night and day to demolish that old building, all they wanted was a lick of paint and the architect said “thou will not haft a lick of paint, thou will haft a brand new expensive building” and so it was to be. The amount of clients, particularly big commercial clients that get the wool pulled over their eyes is incredible. I heard the fee on this job was 65% too…

Who is out there protecting these clients from architect scoundrels?

#3 Posted by Dulnain on 29 Jul 2021 at 14:15 PM

Other than the issues over demolition the question of scale and setting appears not to have featured in the Architects thinking. Surely 4 storeys plus a developed roof would have given a more satisfactory solution but then this probably wouldn’t have generated the sums that allow for the demolition of the existing building! Gosh it must be tough working for developers!

#4 Posted by CadMonkey on 29 Jul 2021 at 15:57 PM

????

#5 Posted by town planner on 31 Jul 2021 at 14:05 PM

#3 Why "surely"? Some of us prefer buildings that are taller than 4 stories high!

#6 Posted by High minded on 2 Aug 2021 at 11:04 AM

Increased height is justified locally by strengthening the urban grain and providing a greater sense of containment at the street.

Distant shots were modelled in VuCity software to ensure low impact on wider vistas.

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