Steely determination sees frame structure complete at Princes Street site

Work on ISG’s iconic Princes Street/Rose Street redevelopment in Edinburgh has stepped up a gear as the team celebrated completing the new steel and concrete hybrid frame, that will form the heart of the new building.

Over the last 15-months, the existing Rose Street property has been systematically demolished, whilst the remaining structure has been temporarily supported by one of the most complex and challenging temporary works systems that ISG has used to date in Scotland, to allow for the erection of the new hybrid concrete and steel frame building that is now taking shape on the Edinburgh skyline.  

An impressive 220m³ concrete slab was poured over 13 hours in the final stage of the first part of the process; the concrete frame that formed the first-floor transfer slab. 300 tonnes of steel was then erected on top.

The new structure will next be physically linked to the existing former BHS retail outlet fronting Princes Street via a new link bridge, just one further piece of the puzzle in the challenging site.

Since spring last year, ISG has led a complex demolition project to transform the former BHS store into a 136 room Premier Inn in a £20 million mixed-use development across Princes Street and Rose Street on behalf of the owner of the Princes Street building, who is represented by LaSalle Investment Management.

As well as demolishing the old Rose Street building, the team has stripped out and reconfigured the basement, reinforcing its structure to support the new five-storey building, and reinforced thoroughfares around the site to enable plant to operate safely across the site boundaries. All of this achieved whilst managing complex site logistics on this busy central site, surrounded on all sides by neighbouring properties.

As well as the new hotel, the project includes two new restaurants on Rose Street, and a flagship 40,000 sq ft retail outlet on Princes Street. The transformation, which is due to complete in the summer of 2020, also includes enhancements to curtain walling on the Princes Street elevation.

Paul Beaton, ISG’s regional director in Scotland, said: “This has taken an enormous effort by our project team and, given the complexities of the site, it has required meticulous planning to reach this point. I’m really proud of the progress that we have made.

“The challenges that the team has faced show how a partnership approach to problem solving is key and how important it is that we continue to think innovatively. This milestone signifies the next step in rejuvenating this underused space, providing exceptional new hospitality, retail and dining facilities in the heart of Edinburgh.”

Steve Spray, Fund Manager at LaSalle Investment Management, which represents the owner of 64 Princes Street, said: “This is exciting progress that we are delighted to be able to share. This is an important redevelopment for Princes Street, bringing vital city centre floor space back into commercial use and this is a big step in realising that vision.”