St. Andrew Square transformation set to begin

The revitalisation of Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square will shortly get underway with contractors going on site to implement the new design from Gillespies.

This important historic square, in the heart of a UNESCO world heritage site, will be opened to the public for the first time when the works complete towards the end of 2007.

Gillespies’ design retains the integrity of the historic square but also balances this with new elements to accommodate contemporary usage patterns. The design provides for a generous and elegant open space with its focus being the Melville Monument. The layout recognises the importance of this column in reinstating the visual connection between some of Edinburgh’s main shopping streets and in particular capitalises on the current desire to link Princes Street with Harvey Nichols. A reflective pool framed by waterside planting will provide a changing display of colour and texture whilst diagonally opposite the pool a café pavilion is being built.