Development
In March 2010, St John's submitted a planning application for redevelopment of the buildings at St John's. The redevelopment would include: a spectacular new hall space, a new lift and stairs between all three levels at St John's, new office accommodation, improved toilet facilities, a more efficient heating system and a refurbished lower terrace.
Download our presentation to find out more about our plans (PDF file)
If this project goes ahead, then it will be the most significant change at St John's in almost 100 years. To explain why St John's is undertaking this significant change, here is a quotation from the Rector, John Armes:
"St John's is a church with considerable public presence. Pass by the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road and you will see a beautiful building; go inside and you will be embraced by its colour and style. Yet ask city folk about St John’s and they are as likely to mention its murals or its stance on social justice or fair trade as they are its architecture.
For St John's is not just a building, its vitality springs from the people who use the building; people committed to the belief that healthy city living derives from more than mere commerce. Edinburgh’s heritage is of a place where art and industry, education and faith, architecture and design conspire to create an environment where human scale and human dignity are valued; St John's is part of this heritage. Princes Street is largely a commercial thoroughfare, at St John's we offer something that goes 'against the grain', where ethical shopping, peace and justice issues and interfaith dialogue are given high profile.
But we have discovered that if we are to offer our best to our city we need buildings fit for purpose for the 21st Century; high quality accommodation that will be accessible and attractive to the community at large and serve well those who work and worship at St John's. We have discovered in recent years that people of many faiths and none are delighted to discover a place that is eager to foster conversation and debate; we have also discovered that good, affordable community spaces in the city centre are at a premium and, on Princes Street, almost non-existent.
Therefore, we have developed this project with LDN Architects which we believe meets our needs and gives us scope to develop our public presence. We believe these proposals will not only enhance the visual delights of our corner of Edinburgh but will also reflect our city’s concern to sustain a community that thrives on diversity, thoughtful encounter and humanity.”