Shrubhill House

Have you ever walked pass somewhere for years and didn't even notice it? That was the case with a run-down office block I waited across from at a bus stop on Leith Walk. For two years! 

You recognise it, as the 8 metre high eyesore, smack-bang in the middle of Leith Walk. And it is big and it is ugly. So why didn't I notice it?

Now that I have finally acknowledged it, I want to know more. First, it's called Shrubhill House. It was built in the 1960s and housed the Council's Social Work Department. And unbelievably the courtyard, was formerly a petrol pump station. 

Shrubhill House became a listed building and part of Leith Conservation Area site, in 1998. The derelict office block fronts a separate site, previously known as the Lothian Regional Transport Department. The red-brick site had a depot and workshop for trams and contained enormous pulleys to hoist trams for part of the Edinburgh's tramways. However, once the trams left, the site's function changed to the Edinburgh Corporation Transport Department and became a bus maintenance depot for Lothian Buses.

In 2003, Wimpey Homes began its proposals for the Transport department site, including flats, 7 stories high and latter, houses. Wimpey Homes' plans were heavily campaigned by residents, through a "save Shrub Place" website campaign. As Mr Tobermann, chairman of the Pilrig Resident Association said "this decision makes it clear that developers and their architects need to design for a conservaion area of tomorrow, not a scheme that makes money now". It was recommended the two neighbouring sites, Shrubhill House and the Masonic Social club should be an intergarated consideration in the proposals for the site. Thus, after half a decade, all 4 proposals were rejected by councillors. By 2005, Wimpey Homes admitted defeat and the site was sold to BL development, incorporating Shrubhill. BL delevopment proposed office space, shops, 300 homes, and a possible hotel in 2006, followed by a proposal in 2009 for a 4* hotel. 

By this time, in 2005, the City of Edinburgh Council recommended the building should be demolished, part of the Council's programme of disposals for the Fit for Future project.  It was believed the building was not in keeping with area. "The existing buildings on site are not worthy of retention, and contribute negatively to the conservation area. They do not respect the spatial character nor the building form of the area, and are of inappropriate materials (concrete and bronze metal cladding). The building line is not in keeping with the remainder of Leith Walk" (The City of Edinburgh Council).

In 2008, Unite, a provider of student accommodation purchased Shrubhill House for circa £6 million. BL development did make an offer of 4,800,000, but the high price won. Unite proposed retail units and student accommodation. The site was to be knocked down and the building's line moved closer to Leith Walk.  

And what of it now? Its still standing. Recently, the site adorned a banner describing the site as the new Conservative's Big Society headquarters. Most defiantly a clever joke. However, the building does house some amazing graffiti. Check out this YouTube video:

And while this art is amazing, its such a pity nothing is happening with Shrubhill and its neighbouring site, which is so historically important and extremely beautiful. These sites could bring a major economic boost to the middle of Leith, if only we could get people to notice.  

JohnnyJan 27, 2012 05:53 AM

Interesting footnote:

Shrubhill House has recently been enclosed and clad in steel to try and prevent the graffiti artists from getting in, presumably because it was deemed an eyesore - whats more of an affront to my eyes is a steelclad building screaming out 'no entry'. As the graffiti sprayed on the door following its securing says - "All we wanted was art - why do you hate culture so much?"

In London, they make derelict spaces into art spaces - see pics of Peckham Sculpture Park: http://londonist.com/2009/06/art_preview_rooftop_sculpture_park.php

In Edinburgh ('inspiring capital' remember)where capital is king, they rigidly protect their investment using brute force and without an once of creativity or thought for their neighbours (who actually live there)

Who owns Edinburgh?