The former Odeon cinema building on Clerk Street has been lying empty for a number of years now, and we are concerned that the building is deteriorating to the point where it will be said to be "beyond economic repair". We would like to see the building brought back to life, as it were, restored to its former glory, and open as a cinema / arts venue.
When it closed as an Odeon, back in 2003, it was bought by Duddingston House Properties, who drew up plans to convert the main auditorium space into a hotel. Their plans involved a partial demolition of the building, and a loss of many fine architectural features.Historic Scotland stepped in, and as a result DHP were refused Listed Building Consent to make the changes they planned. The building was put back on the market, and in January 2011 a number of bids were received by DHP.We are now waiting to see what DHP will do. Will they accept one of the offers they have been made? Or will they apply again to the City of Edinburgh Council to carry out their plans of partial demolition?
We are concerned about the state of the building. We have seen photos showing how water and vermin have been getting in, and how the fabric of the building is falling apart.We have now written to CEC asking them to initiate urgent repairs on the building, and also to start compulsory purchase proceedings to buy the building from DHP and sell it to someone who will restore it and bring it back to use.
Paper copies of this petition are available in many locations on the Southside, and can be downloaded from the Community Council's website at www.edinscc.org. This petition will be mailed (in snail and email format) to the Council. If you support our efforts to save this iconic building and bring it back into use please sign below.
We call on the City of Edinburgh Council to take action to rescue the former Odeon building on Clerk Street.
CEC should:
1. Initiate urgent compulsory repairs to make the building wind and water tight and halt the deterioration that has taken place over the past few years.
2. Set in motion compulsory purchase proceedings so that ownership of the building can be transferred to someone who will fully restore it and bring it back into use as a cinema and arts venue.
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
February 21, 2011
Reached 1,000 supporters
February 11, 2011
February 8, 2011
We need to hit the 1,000 signature mark to prove to the council that the city demands action on this building. Text three people right now and ask them to sign this petition. Post the link to your Facebook page today so we can keep this momentum going.
January 31, 2011
The momentum behind this building is undeniable now. Send an email to your local council representative today demanding they initiate the compulsory purchase process immediately. Post this link on Facebook to keep the pressure on Duddingston House Properties.
Reached 100 supporters
January 29, 2011
42 Comments
I live right opposite and I would love to see this building reinstated to its former state. It is a pity that it has been left to rot for so long.
The New Victoria has so much potential to become the staple in the Edinburgh arts scene that it once was. We need to make Edinburgh a place worth living in, instead of ripping down her assets for student housing that will be obsolete in 5 years time.
Wonderfull memories of the greek gods up the side in alcoves, dimming tiny stars on the blue ornate ceiling. Movies like Zulu, love and let die, sinbad , charley the lonesome cooler, outlaw joss wales etc and later bands like Genesis, Keep it alive, what a building. Magnificent.
Considering Unesco have been called in to investigate the mis/ab/ use of Edinburgh's Heritage the Council better get a move on! To many beautiful old buildings have been knocked down in Edinburgh and replaced by monstrosity's.
I worked in the Odeon during holidays between terms when I was a full time student from 1978-1982. I loved the Odeon, Watching films with capacity audiences over I think around 2800 (?). This could be one of Scotland's premier venues. It is a very special space and I wholly support it's restoration as a community venue for the whole city.
I love Edinburgh and the cinema and would love to see it back
I remember one time we've been to Oden Cinemas at South Clerk Street. #celebratethepast
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The former Odeon cinema building on Clerk Street has been lying empty for a number of years now, and we are concerned that the building is deteriorating to the point where it will be said to be "beyond economic repair". We would like to see the building brought back to life, as it were, restored to its former glory, and open as a cinema / arts venue.
When it closed as an Odeon, back in 2003, it was bought by Duddingston House Properties, who drew up plans to convert the main auditorium space into a hotel. Their plans involved a partial demolition of the building, and a loss of many fine architectural features.Historic Scotland stepped in, and as a result DHP were refused Listed Building Consent to make the changes they planned. The building was put back on the market, and in January 2011 a number of bids were received by DHP.We are now waiting to see what DHP will do. Will they accept one of the offers they have been made? Or will they apply again to the City of Edinburgh Council to carry out their plans of partial demolition?
We are concerned about the state of the building. We have seen photos showing how water and vermin have been getting in, and how the fabric of the building is falling apart.We have now written to CEC asking them to initiate urgent repairs on the building, and also to start compulsory purchase proceedings to buy the building from DHP and sell it to someone who will restore it and bring it back to use.
Paper copies of this petition are available in many locations on the Southside, and can be downloaded from the Community Council's website at www.edinscc.org. This petition will be mailed (in snail and email format) to the Council. If you support our efforts to save this iconic building and bring it back into use please sign below.
We call on the City of Edinburgh Council to take action to rescue the former Odeon building on Clerk Street.
CEC should:
1. Initiate urgent compulsory repairs to make the building wind and water tight and halt the deterioration that has taken place over the past few years.
2. Set in motion compulsory purchase proceedings so that ownership of the building can be transferred to someone who will fully restore it and bring it back into use as a cinema and arts venue.
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
February 21, 2011
Reached 1,000 supporters
February 11, 2011
February 8, 2011
We need to hit the 1,000 signature mark to prove to the council that the city demands action on this building. Text three people right now and ask them to sign this petition. Post the link to your Facebook page today so we can keep this momentum going.
January 31, 2011
The momentum behind this building is undeniable now. Send an email to your local council representative today demanding they initiate the compulsory purchase process immediately. Post this link on Facebook to keep the pressure on Duddingston House Properties.
Reached 100 supporters
January 29, 2011
42 Comments
It's appalling that this beautiful building is left until the developers can use the excuse that it's too derelict to keep. We need more community venues.
I live right opposite and I would love to see this building reinstated to its former state. It is a pity that it has been left to rot for so long.
The New Victoria has so much potential to become the staple in the Edinburgh arts scene that it once was. We need to make Edinburgh a place worth living in, instead of ripping down her assets for student housing that will be obsolete in 5 years time.
Wonderfull memories of the greek gods up the side in alcoves, dimming tiny stars on the blue ornate ceiling. Movies like Zulu, love and let die, sinbad , charley the lonesome cooler, outlaw joss wales etc and later bands like Genesis, Keep it alive, what a building. Magnificent.
Considering Unesco have been called in to investigate the mis/ab/ use of Edinburgh's Heritage the Council better get a move on! To many beautiful old buildings have been knocked down in Edinburgh and replaced by monstrosity's.
I worked in the Odeon during holidays between terms when I was a full time student from 1978-1982. I loved the Odeon, Watching films with capacity audiences over I think around 2800 (?). This could be one of Scotland's premier venues. It is a very special space and I wholly support it's restoration as a community venue for the whole city.
I love Edinburgh and the cinema and would love to see it back
I remember one time we've been to Oden Cinemas at South Clerk Street. #celebratethepast
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It's appalling that this beautiful building is left until the developers can use the excuse that it's too derelict to keep. We need more community venues.