Revealed: A bold new cultural quarter for Edinburgh

Architects have drawn up plans for a “literary hotel” behind the 121-year-old landmark, which would itself be dramatically modernised and extended.

Disused vaults, derelict gap sites and vacant offices would be transformed to provide links between the buildings and create a complex aimed at rivalling major new libraries in cities such as Amsterdam and Seattle.

A new home for the Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust, dedicated performance and event spaces, a glass-covered cafe, bars and restaurants would all be part of the complex, which would take over a massive chunk of the Old Town.

The plans, being pursued in a joint development between the city council and RBS, are being masterminded by Edinburgh-based architect Allan Murray and his team, who worked on the adjacent Missoni Hotel, which has won a clutch of design awards.

The proposals were first revealed by The Scotsman in August when it emerged that they were being favoured by the council ahead of a rival “literary quarter” scheme on the Royal Mile, backed by a rival architect, Malcolm Fraser, and which include the headquarters of the Scottish Book Trust and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Edinburgh was given official status as a world city of literature seven years ago but there have been concerns that the city has failed to capitalise on the mantle – or provide a proper showcase for its collections.

Council officials believe the project, which is as yet uncosted, would deliver a major addition to the city’s cultural landscape, as it is sandwiched between the National Museum of Scotland and National Gallery of Scotland complex on The Mound.

The council has decided against trying to redevelop the library on its own in favour of a joint venture with RBS, which owns India Buildings – the former city registry offices on Victoria Street – which are currently lying empty. The council believes a wider regeneration will help pay for an estimated £11 million worth of improvements to the Central Library, with the authority warning the facility is in “critical” need of investment having “reached the end of its useful life”.

The new-look library complex would see extra space created to showcase the council’s huge collections of literature, printing, photography, fine art and music, much of which never goes on public display.

The new literature centre would be created in the existing library, while performance and event spaces would be created in the old vaults below George IV Bridge, some of which are currently used during the Fringe as Underbelly venues.

Liz McGettigan, the council’s head of libraries, said: “The city’s collections include a wealth of internationally significant materials with huge potential for leisure and tourism, and for strengthening the city’s identity and shared heritage.

“The existing facilities severely constrain access to these treasures, which belong to the people of Edinburgh but are largely hidden from view.

“The new library could be delivered as a ‘standalone’ building. However, it is clear that there is an unprecedented opportunity for the council to work in partnership, delivering a major boost to Edinburgh’s cultural and visitor offer.”

Jonathan Guthrie, strategic development director at the council, said Edinburgh had been given authority to put a team of officers together to work with RBS on a joint business plan, which would include proposals for paying for the project.

He added: “Around £11m is needed simply to bring the existing library up to scratch, but it is obvious that the council simply doesn’t have that kind of finance available.

“A number of buildings owned by the council in this area are surplus to requirements and the idea is that these are released to fund the wider development.

“The concept of the literary hotel is key to the whole development, and although it would be a separate entity to the library itself, there would be links between the two buildings. However, it is the literary element that will be the unique cache for the whole site.”

A report due to be brought back to the council early next year will spell out detailed costs for the project and options for taking it forward, including a possible bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

A spokesman for RBS added: “This project is a great opportunity to create a truly first-rate development which both respects the heritage of the listed buildings on the site and breathes new life into them.

Ali Bowden, director of the Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust, said: “The redevelopment of the Central Library is absolutely crucial. It is physically at the heart of everything we do and is a massively important building, but at the moment there’s nowhere you can really go to find out all about Edinburgh as a city of literature.”