Waverley Steps proposal in front of Balmoral Hotel receives planning permission 2 Nov 2005 by 8 to 2. Balmoral Hotel owner Rocco Forte had visited Edinburgh earlier in the week to campaign against the proposal by Jefferson Sheard Architects. New Town councillor David Guest also complained about it being agreed prior to development at Waverley Station.
Waverley Steps Entrance Designs Revealed
Jefferson Sheard has unveiled dramatic new designs for the famous 'Waverley Steps' entrance to Edinburgh's main rail station.
An exhibition of the designs was opened at the station last Thursday by the Scottish Transport Minister, Nicol Stephen who said that 'this is the first step towards a bigger, better rail network for all of Scotland.' The client is Network Rail on behalf of the Scottish Executive and the design team includes Arup and Turner & Townsend.
The project is a tour de force of access-friendly vertical circulation & lifts and escalators transporting passengers between the station and its new 'front door' twelve-and-a-half metres higher on Princes Street.
Structural trees support a glazed carapace which will provide weather protection and create a modern image for the transport network within a heritage-rich context.
Tom Rhys Jones of Jefferson Sheard is delighted that the practice's new Edinburgh office has secured such a prestigious commission and eagerly anticipates the £6.7m project starting on site in January 2006.
Jefferson Sheard Architects - Waverley Steps: PR 23 May 05
Scottish Architecture
Edinburgh Walking Tours
Adjacent buildings include St James Centre, Jenners, Balmoral Hotel
We viewed the A5 brochure of this proposal for glass canopies and escalators up the windy funnel between the Balmoral and Princes Mall. The leaflets were handed out at Waverley Station where there was a brief exhibition from 13-14 May 2005
Edinburgh : back to index
Sep 2005 Update: Steps Stumble
Jefferson Sheard project - £6.6m Waverley Steps escalators/canopies - delayed by Balmoral Hotel & Historic Scotland. CEC quite rightly wants progress for this windy & dingy funnel but perhaps the proposals are currently too 'heavy'.
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Waverley Steps : Jefferson Sheard Architects
More info at www.jeffersonsheard.com/case.asp?cs_id=73