The fire that ripped through the former Debenhams store on July 9 has robbed Princes Street of another of its historic buildings.
It’s not yet clear what will happen to the site, which had been due to become a new hotel and pod-hotel.
But the blaze has come at a time of change for one of Edinburgh’s most famous streets.
Many famous names and well-loved shops have disappeared or transferred to the St James Quarter. Some of the gaps they left have already been filled and plans have been approved for many of the others.
City council leader Jane Meagher says Princes Street is a vital part of Edinburgh’s economy.
She says: “It’s welcome news that Princes Street continues to attract significant investment.
“I have no doubt that this investor confidence is thanks to the resilience of our local economy and our healthy business community. Changes to non-domestic rates relief on vacant buildings are also encouraging landlords to bring long-term empty properties back into operation.”
So what will Princes Street look like in the future? Here’s an update of what has happened and what’s coming next in some of the key sites.
9. IWC Schaffhausen and Panerai
Luxury watchmakers IWC Schaffhausen and Panerai have opened stand-alone boutiques at 99 Princes Street, on the corner of Princes Street and Frederick Street. The premises, next to Swatch, were previously the Royal House of Scotland gift shop. | TSPL
10. 100 Princes Street
The former Royal Overseas League building in Princes Street is now a "cosy townhouse hotel" run by luxury brand Red Carnation Hotels. It is their first property in Scotland, opened in 2023, with 30 bedrooms and is known simply by its address: 100 Princes Street. The building dates back to 1879, when it opened as the Windsor Hotel. The Royal Overseas League bought it in 1927 and turned it into a private members' club, which became a popular centre for Commonwealth visitors, with the prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand having stayed there. | TSPL
11. New Ruby Hotel site, Princes Street
A new 347-bedroom Ruby Hotel is due to be built on the site next door to the fire-ravaged former Debenhams store. The site at 104-108 Princes Street was previously home to the Next, Russell & Bromley and Zara shops before they moved to the St James Quarter. Demolition of part of previous buildings had already taken place before the Debenhams blaze on July 9. But progress on the £100 million development is likely to be delayed following the fire. The new hotel will also include a rooftop bar with views across to the Castle, and retail space on the ground floor and in the basement. It will be the first Scottish location for Ruby Hotels, who already operate in London, Dublin, Zurich and Amsterdam. | TSPL
12. Former Debenhams store
The fire at the former Debenhams store on July 9 has plunged plans for the site at 109-112 Princes Street into uncertainty. The building, which dates back to 1869, was due to be converted into a Zedwell hotel and pod hotel, with retail on the ground floor. But the plans will now have to be rethought and there has been speculation that owners Criterion Capital may sell the property to another developer. Debenhams closed in May 2021 and plans for a 210-bed upmarket hotel fell through in 2023. | TSPL