George Street, Edinburgh

George Street

Situated to the north of Princes Street, George Street is a major street in the centre of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Laid out from 1767 as part of James Craig's plan for the New Town, George Street was named in honour of King George III.

Geography

George Street lies to the north of central Edinburgh's main thoroughfare Princes Street, and is one of the principal routes through the heart of the city, connecting Charlotte Square at its west end and St Andrew Square to the east. It is crossed by three thoroughfares, Frederick Street, Hanover Street and Castle Street, that run north-south between Princes Street to the south and Queen Street to the north at the heart of James Craig's New Town. George Street lies at a slightly higher elevation than Princes Street and Queen Street, to both of which it runs parallel. This is because much of the New Town is underlain by uneven glacial deposition.

Functions

Statue of George IV at the intersection of George Street and Hanover Street

In recent years, George Street has seen a major transformation in its functions. The street functioned as the centre of Edinburgh's financial district housing the premises of banks, insurance brokers and investment companies. However increasing rents and the agglomeration of financial services at places like the large office development at Edinburgh Park on the western periphery of the city and the Exchange District on brownfield land immediately adjacent to the western edge of the city centre, have seen its role as Edinburgh's main financial district much diminished. However, Standard Life Investments retain office premises on the street, at its junction with St Andrew Square. Nowadays George Street is primarily a commercial zone, with buildings housing many shops, boutiques, cafes and bars along its length at street level. George Street is home to many upmarket pubs, clubs and bars. Offices still occupy many of the upper parts of the buildings that line the street.

Notable buildings

The street is the site of several notable buildings including the Assembly Rooms (1787), St Andrew's and St George's Church (1784), and others by David Rhind (1808–83) and David Bryce (1803–76) which were previously the headquarters of banks, such as the grand melange of Greek and Roman styles which now house The Dome bar and night-club at No.14 (1847). The Church of Scotland Offices are located at 121 George Street. The Northern Lighthouse Board is headquartered in an elegant Georgian townhouse at 84 George Street. From this location it remotely controls over 400 lighthouses, beacons, buoys and other shipping aids around the coast of Scotland and the Isle of Man.

See also

• Edinburgh New Town
• Edinburgh Old Town
• Economy of Edinburgh
• Edinburgh Fringe

External links

• Northern Lighthouse Board