Trunk's Close, 55 High Street
Wed 2 Sept · 17:00
2 September 2026, 17:00–18:30 | Online Join us for another Cockburn Conversation , this time focusing on the future of Argyle House , one of Edinburgh’s most prominent and debated post-war buildings. Argyle House occupies a highly visible site within Edinburgh’s Old Town and World Heritage Site. Current proposals would see the existing building demolished and the site comprehensively redeveloped for a mix of uses. The debate raises some important questions for Edinburgh. How should we assess the significance of post-war architecture? What weight should be given to the carbon already embodied in existing buildings? How can major redevelopment respond successfully to the historic character, skyline and sense of place of the Old Town? And what should good development look like in such a sensitive location? With a planning application expected, this timely conversation will provide an opportunity to explore these issues and hear different perspectives on the building and its future. We’re still confirming our speakers, but wanted to get the date on your radar early. Further details will follow. Click HERE to sign up for this event! Argyle House is one of Edinburgh’s most significant and contested redevelopment proposals. The owners are preparing a planning application to demolish the existing building and replace it with a mixed-use development including homes, hotel accommodation and offices. The proposals raise important questions about the future of the city centre, the balance between regeneration and conservation, and how Edinburgh responds to the challenges of climate change, economic viability and urban design. The debate has taken a significant turn following Historic Environment Scotland’s recent assessment of Argyle House. HES concluded that the building meets the criteria for listing but decided not to designate it because the redevelopment proposals are already at an advanced stage.
Not the same tradition as the lineage above — a genuinely different thread to pull, if you want one.