Watch amazing drone footage of the Edinburgh St James Centre as it reaches 'one year to go' milestone

Amazing drone footage has emerged from above the new Edinburgh St James centre as it begins to take shape a year before it opens.

The development represents a £1 billion investment in the city and will provide more than 3,000 permanent full-time jobs in a variety of sectors.

It has already seen 5,000 new workers inducted on site, more than 60% of whom live within 100 miles of it.

Altogether, the centre will contain 85 new stores, with the aim of making Edinburgh St James one of the city's premiere retail destinations.

An overhead view of the St James Centre construction.

The retail part of it is due to open next October, followed by W Edinburgh, Roomzzz and the Everyman Cinema in 2021.

Edinburgh St James has promised a selection of 30 restaurants and the city's first W hotel.

The Roomzzz Aparthotel will also provide 75 rooms, which are suitable for a single night or a whole year.

The five-screen theatre will continue the brand's decadent approach to movie-watching, featuring plush sofa seating and a range of food and drink delivered to customers' seats.

The Edinburgh St James aims to be much more than just a shopping centre. Pic: Edinburgh St James.

The project will also feature three new public squares, designed to help the centre operate as more of a social, community space rather than just a shopping location. During the festival season, these will double as event spaces.