Princes St hotel plan is branded mundane

Sir Philip Green's Arcadia Group wants to turn the empty upper floors of the A-listed former Forsyth's department store and an adjoining building behind it into a budget hotel.

The architects behind the plans today released the first images of their proposals and say the plans will secure the future of the historic building, whilst being one of the first examples of the city council's 'string of pearls' project being brought to life.

A series of Edinburgh's leading heritage groups have lined up to criticise the plans though, and called on Sir Philip's company to show more imagination.

Among the main critics of the plans is the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, whose patron is Prince Charles. In a written critique of the plans on behalf of the society's Forth and Borders cases panel, Euan Leitch said: "The John James Burnet-designed former R.W. Forsyth's department store is one of Edinburgh's finest examples of Edwardian baroque. "As such, this category A-listed building merits proposals that are in keeping with the quality of the architecture and that will enhance the city centre and celebrate its location and heritage as an upmarket department store.

"While the Society are keen to encourage the use of upper floors on Princes Street, these proposals are utilitarian and we must yet again point out how disappointed we are to find such an unimaginative and thoroughly mundane purpose to be proposed: yet another budget hotel."

The main Princes Street building is already linked to a 1920s building behind it on Meuse Lane.

Under the plans, a new bridge would be built to link the buildings, replacing the existing link bridge, but Mr Leitch said the existing original bridge is "elegant" and provides a "focal point" for the lane. He added: "Sir Philip Green and Arcadia have demonstrated great imagination in many ways. This building deserves at least some of that flair to reach the aspirations of the city council's string of pearls concept."

Edinburgh World Heritage also attacked the plans, calling for "alternative, higher quality solutions to taking this site forward", while heritage group The Cockburn Association said that the roofscape of the surrounding buildings and the skyline would be "negatively affected".

The upper floors of the building have only been used as storage space for several years and have contributed to the building being placed on the "building at risk register".In a design statement, designers 3D Architects said: "These proposals present a real alternative in securing a safe future for the upper levels of this prominent building and will ensure its removal from the Buildings at Risk register whilst once again becoming an active player on Princes Street's skyline."

Councillors are due to decide whether to approve the plans at a meeting on Wednesday but council officials have recommended that the proposals get the go-ahead.