Princess Royal to open new city headquarters

Published on 03/03/2007 11:55

EDINBURGH City Council's new headquarters are to get the Royal seal of approval.

The Princess Royal will be performing the official unveiling duties for Waverley Court on April 26.

The council expects the Princess to spend an hour touring the building, which has been named after the neighbouring city railway station.

Transport, planning, housing, building standards, education and finance officials are all based in the 80 million complex.

The first staff moved in in December and the building is expected to be at capacity by the time of the royal visit.

Shaped like a giant letter E, and made mostly of concrete and glass, it has its main entrance on East Market Street.

Many of the offices enjoy spectacular views of landmarks like the Balmoral Hotel, while an atrium faces towards Calton Hill.

The new building has replaced 20 run-down council offices around the city which are being sold off and are generating more than 44m.

However staff have complained about strict new "etiquette" rules governing the new building, and a lack of storage and meeting space.