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United Distillers Building, News, Proposal, Design, Archial, Demolition, HQ, Scotland
United Distillers Edinburgh : Information + Images
Scottish + Newcastle Building, Ellersly Rd, Edinburgh by RMJM
Outrage : United Distillers Demolition

photos © Adrian Welch from 20 Feb 2010
Press Release from Archial, 25 Feb 2010
Demolition of Balfour Stewart House Paves Way for Archial's
£35Million Residential Development Proposal in Murrayfield
"The demolition of the obsolete [Ed. what justifies the use of
the word obsolete?] Balfour Stewart House office building in Murrayfield,
Edinburgh paves the way for a proposed new £35 million residential
development on the site designed by Archial Architects, one of the
largest architecture practices in Scotland and the UK.
The proposed Northern Trust development will respect the characteristics
of the conservation area within which it is situated and retain
important features, such as the high stone wall surrounding the
site and mature trees within it.
Cameron Walker, director at Archial Architects, said, "The
design solution for the site demonstrates an understanding of the
location and its relationship with the adjacent and wider area.
"The site layout balances the level of development against
the need to retain mature trees and the high stone wall. The visual
appeal of the proposed development responds to the conservation
area and adds to the character of the area.
"Mature trees act as a focus for open space within the development
and the area of designed landscape in the south of the site will
be retained, reflecting the former use of the site as a flagship
office building"."
Photos © Adrian Welch from 20 Feb 2010



United
Distillers Images available on Canmore : RCAHMS visited the building
before it came down and made a record of it. 2 Mar
18 Feb 2010
Highly controversial demolition of brilliant Balfour Stewart House
in Murrayfield, west Edinburgh - a classic building by RMJM. More
details online soon.
Although Balfour Stewart House could be described as a 'rough diamond'
the demolition is regrettable. The quality of materials and details
inside (especially the board room) was high, and the stepped facades
to the south showed a strong articulation. One of the weaker elements
(more Postmodern than the southern elevations) was the entrance, shown
fading away in the photo below.
United Distillers HQ photo from 18 Jan 2010:

photo : Matthew Ansell
Comments re United Distillers HQ demolition welcome: info@edinburgharchitecture.co.uk
More photos © Adrian Welch from 20 Feb 2010



Archial Wins Planning Consent for £35m Residential Development
in Murrayfield, Edinburgh
2 Oct 2009
Archial Architects, one of the largest architecture practices in Scotland
and the UK, has won planning consent from City of Edinburgh Council
for its proposal to replace the now obsolete Balfour Stewart House
office building in Murrayfield with a new £35 million residential
development.

The Rumney Manor development will respect the characteristics of the
conservation area and retain important features, such as the high
stone wall surrounding the site and mature trees within the site.
The development, which remains subject to conservation area approval
from Scottish Ministers, will consist of 72 homes, comprising 16 duplex
apartments and 56 flats. There will be 22 family homes and 18 affordable
dwellings and of the 125 car parking spaces provided across the site,
all but seven will be underground.
Speaking in support of the proposals at the Planning Committee meeting,
local Conservative Councillor, Cllr Jeremy Balfour said, "I am
delighted that the Rumney Manor redevelopment proposals for Balfour
Stewart House were approved by the Planning Committee.
"Throughout the whole process, Rumney Manor and Archial Architects
have consistently consulted with the local community and responded
promptly to all concerns and questions raised by constituents. I am
particularly impressed with the developer's commitment to sustainability
and the high quality of open space amenity which the development will
enjoy."
Cameron Walker, director at Archial Architects, said, "The design
solution for the site demonstrates an understanding of the location
and its relationship with the adjacent and wider area.
"The layout of the site, meanwhile, balances the level of development
against the need to retain mature trees, the high stone wall, an understanding
of the site's topography and conservation area characteristics and
accessibility to public transport. The site's appearance responds
to the conservation area and adds to the characteristic of houses
responding to their individual setting.
"Mature trees as a focus for open space within the development.
The area of designed landscape in the south east of the site will
be retained. This reflects the former usage of the site as a flagship
office building and will add character to the landscape surrounding
the new residential development."
The Archial Group Plc employs 170 staff in Scotland, operating from
offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness.
United Distillers Redevelopment
Comment: Where is Scottish Architecture going? Long gone are the optimistic
days of the nineties when Lottery funding was providing opportunities
for good solid buildings. In recent months we've seen big problems
at The Lighthouse and even the RIAS has removed its (albeit small)
exhibition space. And the credit crunch has postponed or killed off
major projects of course. But even in a recession we should be able
to follow a basic rule: only replace buildings with better buildings.
Scottish & Newcastle Offices

photos © Alastair Cook 2007
Highly controversial move to demolish brilliant RMJM-designed former
S+N Headquarters
United Distillers Redevelopment News Update
Rumney Manor Ltd resubmitted plans by Archial Architects for demolition
of existing offices & erection of 80 flats at 33 Ellersly Road,
West Murrayfield, Edinburgh.
33 Ellersly Road - Balfour Stewart House
1981
Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and Partners
Location: West Murrayfield Conservation Area
S+N: Edinburgh Building - Links
United Distillers Redevelopment
: Further Information

photo © Alastair Cook 2007
United
Distillers Building redevelopment : SMC Hugh Martin Architects
Scottish
+ Newcastle HQ architects : RMJM
Key RMJM Building in the city: Scottish
Parliament with EMBT
Scottish & Newcastle
: Office proposal
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United
Distillers Building Context : Ellersly Road
Edinburgh House
United Distillers & Vintners HQ Edinburgh
Scottish & Newcastle : Office
development

Edinburgh Architecture : homepage
Comments / photos
for the United Distillers HQ page welcome:
info@edinburgharchitecture.co.uk
United Distillers Building Edinburgh : page -
adrian welch / isabelle lomholt |
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