October 13 2021

Proposals to transform St James Square, Edinburgh, into a seasonal events space have been filed by Allan Murray Architects.

Bar Hutte Edinburgh comprises a ticketed Alpine village clustered around the foot of the W Hotel, including a cluster of 'carol-oke' huts and ski themed entertainment.

Utilising pre-built infrastructure, including in-situ Christmas tree pits, the development will provide capacity for up to 250 revellers at a time.

In a submission statement the applicant wrote: "The bar, store, stage and the hüttes themselves will be constructed of tanalised spruced timber walls, with a black rubber roof and Perspex windows. A central tent, comprising sand coloured tensile membrane suspended from timber uprights will cover the internal circulation space and seating area. The site perimeter will be enclosed by picket fencing with entrance portals at the north and south entrance/exits.

"The materials are typical of Christmas events / marketplaces in Edinburgh, and reflect the alpine village aesthetic of the offering."

The application seeks permission to operate through the Christmas holidays for four years.

5 Comments

#1 Posted by monkey9000 on 13 Oct 2021 at 12:15 PM

Seems like a good way to hide the effluence of that jobby.

#2 Posted by Rose Fraser on 14 Oct 2021 at 06:32 AM

No thanks. A blight on our fair City. Please stop monetising our public spaces. And these 'huttes' are an eyesore.

#3 Posted by Spoony Chop on 14 Oct 2021 at 08:28 AM

#2 and a very Merry Christmas to you too, when it comes.

#4 Posted by JohnMF on 15 Oct 2021 at 12:07 PM

ONE year is quite sufficient, until we see whether we, the people who live here, like it. Just think, this space is the one place in Edinburgh from which the ***** cannot be seen.

#5 Posted by cannyman on 26 Oct 2021 at 14:51 PM

One man's hutte is another man's B&Q shed (with a hole in each end!)

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