Story so far. In Part One. TIIA, US pension fund turned global property giant, ran rings round Scottish Government and Edinburgh City Council. Now Princes Street is suffering and the capital's heritage status is tarnished. A safe investment?Over-tourismEdinburgh's predicament should also be judged in another context. The city's economy has increasingly become … [Read more...] about Part Two: the council boards a runaway train
property development
TIAA: a global American invades Scotland
It may yet be Edinburgh's most intriguing Fringe show.Venue: a Scottish courtroom rather than a theatre or church hall. Curtain raiser: American developer Nuveen's petition for a last-minute judicial review in which it had sought to scupper a proposal for a new music and performing arts centre in historic St Andrew Square. (It has since dropped its legal action following a … [Read more...] about TIAA: a global American invades Scotland
Winners and losers on #MoultriesHill Part 3
Story so far: By the end of Part Two, the brutalist Scottish Office has been abandoned. The fate of the St James Centre hangs in the air. Part Three: 2000 - 2020After a decade or so of going nowhere things began to move (slightly) around 2005. In October that year Coal Pension Properties (CPP) put the shopping centre on the market. Six months later it was … [Read more...] about Winners and losers on #MoultriesHill Part 3
New Brutalism in St James Square: #MoultriesHill Part 2
The story so far: In Part One, the vibrant mixed community of St James Square slowly declined under exploitative, ever-neglectful landlords.Part Two: 1955-2000The first stirrings of change came from Her Majesty’s Government.In the mid 1950s, HMG, in the form of the Ministry of Public Building & Works, was looking for somewhere to house Scotland’s fast-growing, … [Read more...] about New Brutalism in St James Square: #MoultriesHill Part 2
The tangled history of Edinburgh St James
Rack followed ruin and ruin begat rack.Edinburgh is held to be among the most beautiful cities in the world. The sweeping curves, terraces and gardens of the New Town an example of inspired urban planning, a masterpiece of symmetry and grace – for those who could afford to live there.Other, nearby, parts of the city have not fared so well. In this fascinating new three … [Read more...] about The tangled history of Edinburgh St James