Development designed by Reiach and Hall given go-ahead after extensive public enquiry.
Scottish Ministers have approved a 32,500m2 public arcade on a prominent siite in the centre of Edinburgh.
Phase one of the mixed-use EDI development on the former Morrison Street goods yard will offer offices, shops, bars and cafés ranged around a five-storey public arcade and square.
The development is designed by Edinburgh architect Reiach and Hall. It sits on a corner site alongside two conservation areas and the World Heritage Site of Edinburgh’s city centre. It was approved by The City of Edinburgh Council’s planning committee in August 2004, but then called in for public inquiry by the Scottish Ministers.
Ian Wall, chief executive of EDI said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of the Public Inquiry. It is important because the lack of a planning approval for Phase 1 has held up our discussions with hotel operators for development of the next phase: these can now proceed.”
The developers plan to add two further phases designed by Page and Park and Alan Murray Architects. Ian White Associates are acting as landscape architects on all phases and sustainability consultant is Third Wave.
