The ugly St James Centre buildings were completed in 1970 but are now being demolished to be replaced in 2020 with a new complex which too will include a hotel and shops.  The buildings in the background were completed over 220 years ago by Robert Adam and James Craig (the architect responsible for building Edinburgh’s New Town) and quite possibly they might still be standing when the new centre is due for demolition before this century is out.
The photo was taken by phone from the bus which explains the light strip.
See Teasel's blip.