Princes Street is Edinburgh's main shopping street. It is bounded to the south by Princes Street Gardens and has marvellous views to the castle. Its character, however, was basically destroyed by 1960s town planners. It went from being a street full of Georgian and Victorian buildings, to a street which ended up littered with ugly, boxy buildings, but which were suitable for retail. This picture shows the attempt, or lack of it, to integrate a new building (this one for H&M) right beside a very traditional one. Does it work? What do you think?
7 comments:
Souvenirs, souvenirs...
Visiting your blog reminds me of my trip in Edinburgh a few years ago, my hotel was in Princess street. What a beautiful town (and a beautiful country !)...
I'm not sure for the mix between traditionnal and modern buildings, but I suppose it's sometimes necessary.
I think they could've done better.! Its happening in Akita too.
I just don't like the big windows, breaks the attention, but that is the main objective of architects, leave their mark.
It's a bit of an eye sore.
er... i like both buildings individually (one because H&M is there :p)
Looking at the photo as you show it, I'd go for the old building. But maybe looking at the new building in a different way, from a different perspective, maybe another new building next to it, I might like it. It's hard to say... Alltogether, I usually prefer conserving old nice looking buildings though.
I quite like mixing old and new, but in this case they blew it.
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