Mall revamp proposals submitted

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Plans have been submitted for a 13-acre retail, housing and leisure development in Edinburgh city centre.

The proposals, to replace the 1970s St James Shopping Centre and demolish the adjacent New St Andrew's House offices, have been sent to the city council.

Designers Allan Murray Architects said the new St James Quarter would restore the city's reputation as one of Europe's best shopping destinations.

It said the development would create up to 4,000 jobs.

The design is inspired by the original cityscape and layout of Edinburgh's New Town, with a crescent-shaped galleria as its centrepiece.

'Intimate squares'

The plans will double the amount of retail space currently provided in the centre to more than one million sq ft, accommodating up to 90 stores.

Up to 250 new homes will also be built in the area, as well as 15,000 sq ft of office space, a hotel and 1,800 car parking spaces.

Allan Murray Architects has been selected to design the scheme, alongside BDP.

Allan Murray said: "Our vision is to create a must-see destination in Edinburgh, with a grandeur and scale appropriate to its setting.

"The curve of the galleria complements the geometry of the New Town while the St James Quarter will also provide a family of intimate squares connected by streets."

If planning permission is granted, work on the development will begin in 2011, with completion anticipated by 2016.

The St James Centre site is located within the Edinburgh World Heritage Site and has been a feature of the city centre for almost 40 years.