The iconic Jenners department store is set to disappear from its Princes Street home in Edinburgh after more than 150 years.
The building’s Danish billionaire owner Anders Holch Povlsen has unveiled plans to reinvent the historic building and transform it into a hotel, cafe and rooftop restaurant, along with shops linked to his clothing chain, Bestseller.
The project’s plans include a “total restoration” of the Category A listed building’s facade including the sensitive reinstatement of lost original elements, the Edinburgh Evening News reports.
It will see Jenners leave the street it has called home since 1838 and move to a new location - possibly in the still-under-construction St James Centre.
The St James Centre takes shape
Mr Povlsen bought the building, which spans sections of Princes Street and Rose Street, for a reported £50m in 2017.
David Chipperfield Architects has been appointed by Mr Povlsen to lead the project, which will begin in 2021 at the earliest.
READ MORE: Jenners gets new £100,000 furniture department
Project manager, Anders Krogh, said the plans for the Jenners building will aim to create the “best possible framework for future users”.
He added: “The project is first and foremost about helping to preserve a unique historic building in Edinburgh.
“We are pursuing the project because we have a passion for architecture and historical buildings.
“Already when we acquired the building, we knew that it came with a great deal of responsibility.
“Jenners is an iconic building in Edinburgh, and we take the responsibility of renovating it very seriously.”
Staff in Jenners in 2016
The projects, which which still requires planning permission, includes an extension of the building’s parapet and to allow for a new rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking St Andrew Square.
There will also be a private terrace for the hotel’s corner suite with views of the Mound and Arthur’s Seat.
The central atrium which spans three storeys will receive a full restoration and the 1966 extension onto St David Street will also get a new facade.
Overall the new development will include more than 10,000 square metres of hotel space, 7,000 square metres of retail space including cafes and restaurants.
Discussions between the developers and the council are ongoing ahead of a formal planning application.
Princes Street
Councillor Neil Gardiner, planning committee convener, said: “Jenners Department Store holds many fond memories for Edinburgh citizens and visitors alike.
“An important part of this designation is the galleried grand hall with timber and glass roof which allows daylight to flood in, which the public can enjoy.
“If the building has an alternative use in the future it would be important to consider how the key features of the building can be incorporated into any proposed redevelopment.
“We recently consulted on retail use in the city centre to make sure our planning policies remain flexible and councillors will look at any proposed changes to our guidance in the New Year.”
READ MORE: £1bn Edinburgh St James takes shape, from above
Cllr Gardiner added the future of Princes Street is already changing as more historic brands leave and more mixed-use and leisure options set up shop.
He said: “The future of Princes Street is already changing with plans for the £150m Johnnie Walker visitor centre at the West End well underway.
“We need to keep active frontage in Princes Street but there is plenty of scope and opportunity for other uses as well including the upper levels with truly outstanding views of the castle and gardens.
”Princes Street has over time been adaptable: first set out for residential use, over time it emerged as a place for grand hotels and members clubs and shopping.
“With appropriate policies it can continue to evolve to meet changing needs in a way which respects its place in this city.”
Chris Pyne, leasing director at Edinburgh St James, commented: “We are holding discussions with a number of occupiers, but we do not comment on confidential negotiations whilst they remain just that.”
Sports Direct, who own the brand Jenners following its takeover of House of Fraser, denied it will move the store into the St James Centre.The company would not be drawn on its future location.
With Poundland responding to critics suggesting it was “cheapening” Princes Street with aplomb, what does the departure of Jenners mean for the future of the street?
Professor Leigh Sparks, deputy principal and professor at Stirling University’s Institute for Retail Studies, said Princes Street will continue to have its challenges despite its iconic location.
READ MORE: Who is Anders Povlsen, Scotland's biggest landowner?
He said: “It clearly has its challenges. It is an iconic street, it has fabulous views and it has things it can build on.
“The Jenners building is iconic in its own right. It will be interesting to see what it does turn into.
“The problem with Princes Street is that if you walk down it, do you want to walk back up? So it lacks a point of difference like George Square in Glasgow.
“As a street it is seen as a major name but in reality for some people on the retail side it is quite disappointing despite being interesting visually.”
He added that to survive the street must adapt with more leisure activities and cafes and restaurants.
He said: “I think you have a bit of that already. The centre of gravity in the city centre has already shifted from Princes Street towards George Street.“
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