Office plans to strip away seedy image

The concrete Post Office building at the West Port near the Grassmarket is set to be demolished to make way for the 20 million development.

Developers behind the scheme claim they will not only remove a "blight" from the area, but help the ongoing transformation of one of the grimmest parts of the city centre, where a string of strip joints are sited.

The Kenmore Property Group believes it will be able to create some of the most attractive office space in the city on the site.

Three of the city's main lapdancing bars are located in the West Port, which is notorious for being where serial killers Burke and Hare once lived.

The Evening News recently revealed plans by Edinburgh College of Art to expand into Evolution House, an award- winning office block on the West Port, which has been lying empty for more than two years.

It is hoped work on the new development, which will also spell the end for two pubs below the Post Office building, can get under way next year, subject to planning permission.

El Barrio and Jackson's now face demolition.

Edinburgh-based Michael Laird Architects, which has worked on the nearby Edinburgh Quay development at Fountainbridge, is designing the scheme, which will also see another eight-storey building created on site.

Kenmore said its new development would transform the "tired and dated" building in an area which it believes is enjoying a new era.

If plans which have just been lodged with the council are approved within the next few months, demolition work will get under way almost immediately.

Associate director Mary Galbraith said: "The new West Port House will be a real breath of fresh air for Edinburgh.

"It makes good use of a very visible site with strong and simple contemporary architecture to complement its surroundings.

"The building will provide some of the most spectacular views of the city and Edinburgh Castle and we are confident that, on completion, it will be recognised as among the best office space in Edinburgh."

Cameron Stott, of Jones Lang Lasalle, one of two agents for the site, said: "This area of Edinburgh has continued to improve dramatically over the past few years thanks to the spread of the city's financial Exchange District. Coupled with the commencement of development on the old Edinburgh Royal Infirmary site, West Port is set to become a sought-after central location."

Anne Wigglesworth, spokes-woman for Tollcross Community Council, said: "We are very happy that there is a new building going up in place of the old one and hope it will be a great improvement."

There are no plans yet for the demolition of another 1960s office block on the other side of West Port, Argyle House. The Inland Revenue's home in Edinburgh is notorious as one of the city's most hated buildings.

Councillors will discuss plans on Wednesday for the demolition of another infamous eyesore, the former Lothian Regional Council headquarters on George IV Bridge. A new hotel, shops, bars and restaurants are earmarked for the site under plans by banking giants HBoS for a multi-million-pound development.