St James Centre, Edinburgh 1977

For over four decades, the St James Centre stood at the east end of Edinburgh’s city centre, a symbol of post-war redevelopment—and, to many, a controversial addition to the city’s historic skyline. Built in the early 1970s, the shopping centre was part of a wider plan to modernise Edinburgh’s retail and commercial offerings. Anchored by a large John Lewis department store, the complex included over 60 shops, cafés, and restaurants, topped by the imposing government office block known as New St Andrew House.

While the centre became a popular shopping destination, it was never widely admired for its design. With its concrete façades and austere lines, the St James Centre was often cited as one of Edinburgh’s least attractive buildings. Critics argued that it clashed harshly with the surrounding Georgian architecture of the New Town, and over time it came to be seen as a relic of an outdated era in urban planning.

By the early 2010s, with retail habits changing and footfall declining, plans were set in motion for a dramatic transformation. In 2015, the City of Edinburgh Council approved an ambitious £850 million redevelopment scheme. The existing shopping centre and office block were demolished, with the exception of the John Lewis store, which was retained and incorporated into the new plans.

Rising in its place was the St James Quarter—a vast mixed-use development blending high-end retail, hospitality, residential, and entertainment spaces. Officially opened in June 2021, the new complex features over 80 shops, a boutique cinema, restaurants, and a central galleria covered by a sweeping glass canopy. Above it all sits the striking W Edinburgh Hotel, with its bold, spiral-shaped “ribbon” design—an architectural talking point that quickly became both a modern landmark and a source of local debate.

The Quarter also includes residential apartments, a luxury aparthotel, and significant underground parking, creating a new destination for residents and tourists alike. While the architecture has not been without its critics, the development has breathed new life into this part of the city, attracting millions of visitors in its first year and redefining Edinburgh’s eastern city centre.