Scottish Executive, Victoria Quay, Leith
1993-1996
RMJM Scotland
Private
The Scottish Executive - formerly the Scottish Office - is a solid building in symmetrical three-storey shape possibly to recall warehouse that existed previously on the site, though one suspects the shape was highly cost-efficient; interesting sandblasted sculpture/screen at back of entrance hall, two atria to each side.
Scottish Executive building: from Victoria Dock © Adrian Welch
Victoria Quay is located in the centre of a huge redevelopment area mostly owned by Forth Ports. The building was opened on 1 Jul 1996 by HM Queen Elizabeth II. The Victoria Quay building has 35,000 sq.m of accommodation on four floors and is 250m long.
photograph 2007 © Jason Baxter
The East facade facing the sea presents a quiet scene devoid of any quayside life such as break-out spaces; perhaps this is due to security reasons. The Scottish Executive building has an austere symmetrical feel with sandstone coloured rational facades and 'lighter' grey metal cladding above. The Scottish Executive building atria are based on a sustainable approach to architecture.
Scottish Executive Building architects : RMJM Scotland
Scottish Executive: rotunda from Commercial Quay © Adrian Welch
The Victoria Quay building was built as an extension of the old Scottish Office. It replaced New St. Andrews House on Leith St (top of Leith Walk). The building became part of the Scottish Executive following devolution to the Scottish Parliament in 1999. It is the largest single office of the Scottish Executive and contains Development and Education Departments.
The base build cost for the Scottish Executive Building was approx. £47m
Scan of photo © Adrian Welch
Also by RMJM in Edinburgh: Scottish Parliament
Scottish Architecture
Edinburgh Walking Tours
Edinburgh : back to index
The original Victoria Quay (1847-51) represented a major enlargement of the Port of Leith into the sea away from the shoreline of Commercial Street. Cargo sheds and Whisky Bonds - such as Patterson's Warehouses - were developed towards the end of the 19th Century, which have now been redeveloped into apartments, shops and restaurants.
Leith Architecture
History of Leith
Just to the north of Victoria Quay is the Ocean Terminal, Western Harbour, 2001
Scottish Housing
Some departments migrated to the Scottish Executive Building upon its completion from St Andrew's House
Scottish Executive Building - page: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt