One of Princes Street's buildings could be demolished and neighbouring structures altered under new plans for a hotel development.
Planning permission is currently being sought to tear down 107-108 Princes Street, with the former Next store currently lying empty. The former Zara store, as well as the former Russell and Bromley store, would be altered under the plans.
All three stores flocked to the St James Quarter when it opened in 2021. The building set for demolition is an unlisted building, though is however neighboured by ‘historically significant’ structures - with 104, 105 and 106 Princes Street all category B listed buildings.
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The Ruby Hotels development, which spread across all three buildings, is set to be the largest investment on the street since Johnnie Walker opened up back in 2021.
The application, submitted by Turley Planning, suggests that the current retail land is in ‘severe decline’. They added: “The design approach taken is to retain, as far as possible, the key elements of the historic buildings which provide interest and value to the streetscape.”
The plans would also involve the demolition of the former retail arcade and tenement buildings to the rear of 104-105 Princes Street. They’ve said the construction of the hotel would bring buildings of a similar height, with a ‘similar footprint’.
It’s said that the replacement building will improve sightlines for the neighbouring structures, with a recessed top floor. Developers have said construction would create 135 full time jobs, and on completion the hotel and restaurant would bring up to 225 full time jobs.
The building set for demolition dates back to 1973, and was originally the flagship store of John Menzies. After they moved on, Next occupied the structure for a number of years.
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