As I had an eye appointment I made my second trip into Edinburgh since lockdown in March and decided to go to Debenhams before it closed.   The exterior of the building in Princes Street shows the elaborate detail of its original frontage when it was built in 1884 as the Conservative Club and although the place has been subsequently altered the original carved timber staircase was kept but moved to a different position in 1978. The three stained glass windows were dedicated to the memory of Benjamin Disraeli who was the Prime Minister of the time and depict figures of Politics, Imperial Liberty and Literature.   
Almost hidden among clothes in one section is the oak panelled Gladstone Library which is a remnant of the Liberal Club which stood on the adjacent site before Debenhams extended.  Unfortunately a rack of dresses was obscuring the fireplace and old armchair.   
When Debenhams moves out  there are plans to build a hotel and roof top hotel with views across Princes Street Gardens to the castle and hopefully the façade with its two 1802 lamps at the entrance and the staircase and library will be retained.

Comments
Sign in or get an account to comment.