Eastern gateway for thoroughfare

By Jim Dow

BLOCK 10 sounds like a new TV prison series but, in fact, it represents a major step forward for Princes Street, even though it refers to the old Royal High School and surroundings, which is on Regent Road.

The plans involve transforming the building into a tourist information hub with a museum and new public realm.

Martin Bates, director of the architect, Broadway Malyan, said: “Now these plans have become the first of the Princes Street Development Briefs to be approved, Edinburgh can look forward to a revitalised city centre and a new East End hub.

“In many respects Block 10 is a template. There is a lot of political pressure on the council to get the Royal High building back in use - it can be the gateway to the eastern part of Princes Street.

The next template you will concentrate on high quality residential, offices, hotels, retail and leisure, said Mr Bates. "The known poor buildings will be replaced and the known good ones will be enhanced and we are going to make the whole street fantastic."