Not adding up!

Sailor's Ark 0n Royal Mile faces demolition for "economic" reasons.

Something just isn't adding up, I don't want to take away from the good work Heritage Scotland does but when you look back to their input into Caltongate, questions have to be asked and quite serious ones. Do they do their sums on the back of fag packets?

Historic Scotland said there was "economic justification" to demolish the Ark Building and Canongate Venture in the Canongate, these buildings are listed buildings, yet because it was seen to be profitable to build Mountgrange's fantasy they could be knocked down to build a 5 star hotel and a conference centre . Yet today we hear that the EICC - Edinburgh International Conference Centre is in financial sctoom.

The EICC made a £600,000 plus loss in 2007 and some of it's staff may face redundancy. It is predicted equavelent losses will be made this year too. Read about it here

Seemingly 4 years ago Edinburgh was in the top 20 places to have an International Conference but has slipped out of the Top 20 League today, the economic crisis will be taking its toll.

So what exactly were the economic figures for the Caltongate Conference Centre, were they just based on speculative capitalism and unlimited growth? Was it wishful thinking?

We were promised 2000 plus jobs through Caltongate however I can't thelp think that all there sums just didn't add up.

Imagine if the demolitions go ahead on the basis of Historic Scotland's "economic justification" and nothing is built - listed buildings would belost forever. Hopefully we can save them if Caltongate can't go ahead due to it's own economic crisis - and maybe even bring back Jock the Cock who was undignifiably removed from the Canongate Venture a couple of years ago. See here to see Jock the Cock's fate.

Recession Proof Caltongate

Caltongate is recession proof, so much so it is going to be "Depression" themed. Most of the building`s facades to be retained are from the 1930`s.

The Old Sailor's Ark, funded by a benefactor to house sailors in need built 1936 by architects Tarbolton & Ochterlony.

This will be home to "Let Them Eat Cake" a soup kitchen themed restaurant in the French Hotel Group Accor`s Five Star Caltongate hotel. The hotel is rumoured to be having an overall French nautical and "1930`s styling throughout.

The Macrae Tenements part of the hotel were built during the 1930`s to house the ordinary working person. Rooms will pay homage to the previous council tenants, aptly named and with a small plaque telling guests about who slept there in the past.

The Victorian school building known as The Canongate Venture is to be completely demolished for the hotel`s conference centre.

A source close to the project said - it is only right that we pay our respects to the poor and needy children who must have benefited from this sandstone school board building by (Robert Wilson 1901)

Neither are we forgetting the many businesses that have been tenants in its final use as a small business start up venture, provided by the council.

Perhaps Canongate Books and Birlinn press can help with ideas, but one so far is having quirky Girls and Boys entrance doors to the building.

The source added that lip service will be paid to the Patrick Geddes guy, perhaps the roof terraces on the conference centre, will be named after him, as after all he encouraged the poor folk of the Old Town to garden, didn`t he?

Save Our Old Town latest

Mountgrange`s Manish Chande, London Developer pulling a Brave Heart Cow through Princes Street Gardens when he arrived in the capital

So we`ve been Trumped! The ministers are so busy with Balmedie they have taken their eyes off the even bigger ball here in the shadow of the Scottish Parliament and their offices at St Andrews House. Do not despair it is not over, come to the Street Party and see what The Canongate Project findings are so far....the real exciting work will begin once the credit crunch has banished the Carpetbaggers Mountgrange from the city for once and for all.

Street Party Saturday 28th June 2008
11am - 4pm
East Market Street
see www.eh8.org.uk for more

Prince Charles and World Heritage Talk Tonight

Free Talk on Edinburgh`s World Heritage Status Tonight Friday 6th June 6pm - 7.30pm at 8 St Mary`s Street, just off the Royal Mile

See Map Contact us on 07788 755303

Talk and discussion with Jane Jackson and David Hicks of The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust. What does World Heritage Status mean to Edinburgh and her residents? http://www.ewht.co.uk/

Charles in building projects appeal - Prince Charles in Edinburgh yesterday

The Prince of Wales has called for architects to put beauty at the heart of building projects to create long-lasting communities.

The Malcolm Fraser Building proposed for Jeffrey St as part of Caltongate, above is view of it along East Market Street

He shared his thoughts with an audience - including Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond - at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on how nature should play a central role.
Evoking the World Heritage status of Scotland's capital, Charles, who is known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, said: "Beauty is surely, when you think about it carefully, at the heart of genuine sustainability.

"If something is beautiful you don't want to knock it down."

Above is from top are the beautiful buildings to be knocked down for Caltongate, The Victorian School known as Canongate Venture, The Sailor`s Ark , unique Art Deco and 1930`s Macrae Tenements.

He said Scottish planners could take a leading role in the UK to build ecologically-sound communities - but warned that attitudes must change.

"We live on a very small island on which presumably many generations will want to live," he said.

"So apart from everything else, we need to work out where the water is going to come from in an increasingly uncertain world. We owe it to our children and our grandchildren not to wreck it all."

Charles called for a return to "civil, courteous and well-mannered" architecture and added: "We must rediscover - rapidly - our respect for nature and her universal principles that can give us everlasting inspiration and environmental hope."

He delivered his speech following a presentation by Mr Salmond, MSP for Gordon and MP for Banff and Buchan, at the seminar hosted by the Prince's Foundation. The foundation has contributed to the design of 50 developments during its 10-year history in the UK and overseas.
These include projects at Ballater in Aberdeenshire, Cumnock in Ayrshire, Lincoln city centre, the urban extension of Plymouth, the new town of Coed Darcy on the former BP oil refinery in South Wales and the regeneration of a strife-torn neighbourhood in Kingston, Jamaica.
The Press Association

Brunel Building Saved from demolition

A pumping station from an innovative railway built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel has been listed Grade II after a campaign to save it from demolition championed by Jeremy Clarkson.
Dairy Crest to demolish Brunel pumping station
The "Top Gear" presenter, whose advocacy of the engineer won him a close second to Sir Winston Churchill in the BBC's Great Britons series, got involved after the company Dairy Crest proposed to level the building in Totnes, Devon, for a housing development.

A rare survival of a building designed by the great engineer, the pumping house was to have provided the power for Brunel's South Devon Atmospheric Railway. Trains drawn along by a piston in a tube laid between the rails.

The listing means that Dairy Crest will have to apply to the local authority for permission to demolish, if that remains their intention.

Conservationists applauded Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary, for deciding to list the building against the advice of English Heritage.

Adam Wilkinson, secretary of SAVE Britain's heritage, said: "The Secretary of State has clearly seen sense and listed a rare survival from one of the more exotic chapters of our industrial, architectural and transport history.
"Dairy Crest must now see the value of this building and work with the people of Totnes to come up with a scheme which makes use of Brunel's pumping station."

Full article here Telegraph Article

What You Can Do To Save The Buildings Below
Art Deco The Sailors Ark

Former Victorian School Canongate Venture

1930`s Macrae Tenements

find out more at www.eh8.org.uk