Edinburgh is famous for its architecture. And when you picture that architecture, you probably imagine tall Gothic spires, sweet cobbled pavements and posh Georgian townhouses. But, like any city, Edinburgh’s architecture is hugely diverse, and among its category A listed buildings (the highest protection given to buildings considered outstanding examples of a particular period, style or building type) are in fact imposing brutalist structures. And now, two of them are getting some much needed love, care and investment.
Cables Wynd House and Linksview House in Leith were both built in the 1960s. Nicknamed the ‘Banana Flats’ for their curved shape, they were made famous by Irvine Welsh’s novel Trainspotting and assigned category A status in 2017.
They currently provide 310 homes, most of which are let by the council for social rent. This week, it was announced that both buildings will be getting a £69m facelift, involving essential repairs and core improvements to their physical structure and mechanical systems.
The work will ensure that each buildings will become safer, warmer and more comfortable for their residents. The council plans to introduce accessible walkways, new outdoor community areas, new windows and doors, new roofs and new insulation. By the time the improvements are finished, the two buildings will aligns with the standards typically seen in newly constructed properties.
Architecture firm Collective Architecture submitted the planning application on the council’s behalf. It engaged with current residents of the buildings and collected their lived experiences to inform their proposal. It promises that it’ll continue listening to residents throughout the project, particularly as works will be carried out while they remain in their homes or are relocated to vacant flats within the same buildings for short periods.
Lezley Marion Cameron, housing, homelessness and fair work convener at City of Edinburgh Council, said: ‘I am delighted that the necessary planning consent for our plans to upgrade Cables Wynd House and Linksview House to provide safe, energy efficient and high-quality homes for residents there has been granted, enabling these long-awaited works to get underway, hopefully at pace.’
Carl Baker, from Collective Architecture, added: ‘We are thrilled that our retrofit proposals for Cables Wynd House and Linksview House have been granted planning permission and listed building consent. These approvals represent a major milestone in the life of two of Edinburgh’s most iconic post-war housing developments, both Category A listed and celebrated for their bold architectural character and social significance.’
The investment for Cables Wynd and Linksview are part of a wider project aiming to modernise 44 multi-storey blocks across Edinburgh.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.