And while many other UK cities seem to favour destruction over regeneration, mercifully, architectural conservation is treated as a priority in Scotland’s capital.
We've trawled through the photo archives to bring you a dozen iconic landmarks around Auld Reekie that have found a new lease of life.
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We've trawled through the photo archives to bring you a dozen iconic landmarks around Edinburgh that have found a new lease of life. Photo: Third Party
. Caley Picture House, Lothian Road
Dating from 1923, the Caley Picture House is one of Edinburgh's oldest cinema buildings. Latterly a night club, the former cinema has enjoyed various new leases of life and is now a Wetherspoon super pub. Photo: Contributed
. Donaldson's School
Designed by William Henry Playfair, the former Donaldson's school for the Deaf has long been regarded among Edinburgh's finest architectural treasures. A new luxury housing development occupies the grounds and the main building is being transformed for residential use. Photo: Rob McDougall
. Castlehill reservoir
Situated at the top of Castlehill, the highest point in central Edinburgh, this 19th century former reservoir once contained the city's chief water supply. It is now occupied by the Tartan Weaving Mill. Photo: Denis Straughan
9. Edinburgh Printmakers, Fountainbridge
For years the lone remains of the once vast North British Rubber Factory at Castle Mills in Fountainbridge lay derelict and unused. Three years ago Edinburgh Printmakers moved in, transforming the handsome brick building into a modern art studio. Photo: Photographer: Scott Louden
10. General Post Office, Waterloo Place
In 2003, one of the largest facade retention projects in Europe got underway when Edinburgh's former G.P.O. was gutted out leaving only its 150-year-old shell. It is now an office complex named Waverley Gate. Photo: CATE GILLON
11. Former State Cinema, Leith
Pictured is an artist's impression of the new luxury housing development at the former State Cinema in Leith. The 83-year-old building's auditorium has been demolished, but the iconic art deco frontage is being restored. Photo: Contributed
12. Johnnie Walker Princes Street
One of the most recent examples of an Edinburgh landmark that has found an exciting new use, the former Frasers department store at the West End was transformed into a world-class whisky tourism hub by Johnnie Walker. Photo: Third Party