And the large number of major developments currently proposed mean there is plenty more change soon to come.
The city centre, in particular, is likely to see a big transformation, not least because of the masterplan for the future of Princes Street, another masterplan for Waverley station and the scheme to make George Street a pedestrian and cycle zone.
Changes to individual buildings will also have a major impact on the city centre - such as the plans for new hotels in place of former stores, like Debenhams, on Princes Street; and the conversion of the old Royal High School to become a National Centre for Music.
Here’s a look at nine major developments that are set to change the face of the city centre.
5. Point A hotel, St Andrew Square
The Sainsbury's store on the ground floor has already closed, in preparation for the building at the corner of St Andrew Square and Rose Street, opposite Jenners, to be converted into Point A Hotel. The six-storey building was designed by architect Sir Basil Spence as the new head office of the Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Society in 1962. The developers say they plan to carry out a full internal reconfiguration, devoting the whole building to hotel use. They will refurbish the original entrance, with public areas of the hotel on the ground floor and an "active frontage" facing St Andrew Square. | TSPL Photo: Ian Swanson
6. Dunard Centre
It's hidden away behind the 18th century Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters in St Andrew Square, but the Dunard Centre - due to open in 2029 - will be Edinburgh's first major new city centre concert venue for more than a century. It will become home to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, host Festival concerts every August and be open for day-time and evening events all year round. Work on the £114 million building is due to start early in 2025. | supplied
7. Lothian Road
Turning Lothian Road into a tree-lined boulevard was part of the vision unveiled in 2019 in the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation plan. But the council accepted when it announced plans to ban through traffic from two other key routes - the Bridges and The Mound - that Lothian Road would be the only north-south through route left, meaning a significant increase in traffic, so the vision would have to be tweaked. But officials say the project can still bring substantial improvements in conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling. | City council
8. Debenhams, Princes Street
Debenhams in Princes Street has stood empty for three years. Plans for a 210-bedroom upmarket hotel fell through last year, but the store is now due to be converted into a first hotel in Scotland for luxury brand Zedwell. It is one of several new hotels planned for vacant spots on what used to be Edinburgh's busiest shopping street. Many stores relocated to the new St James Quarter when it opened in June 2021, but there are now plans in place for most of the sites. | TSPL Photo: Lisa Ferguson