primark flagship store, Edinburgh

from here: http://www.buildingscotlandmagazine.co.uk/online/building_scotland/bs_features/august2011/New%20Primark%20store%20completes%20Edinburgh's%20'string%20of%20pearls'.html

New Primark store completes Edinburgh's 'string of pearls'

Princes Street

From the first Penneys store in Ireland to the latest flagship store due in September 2011 at Stratford (London), the Primark story has been one of continuing success. In June 1969, the first Penneys store opened in Mary Street, Dublin. Within a year, four more stores were added ­ all in the Greater Dublin area.
In 1971 there were 11 more stores in Ireland and one in Northern Ireland. By 1973, the number of stores had reached 18 in Ireland and Primark began trading in Great Britain with four out-of-town stores. The following year saw the opening of the first UK High Street stores in Derby and Bristol. In the next ten years, 18 stores were added in the UK and nine in Ireland, bringing the number of stores in the UK and Ireland to 22 each. From 1984 to 1994 a further 13 stores were added in the UK and 12 in Ireland, bringing the total to 66 stores ­ 32 in the UK and 34 in Ireland. A major flagship store was purchased in 1992 in O'Connell Street, Dublin.
Primark had a milestone year in 1995 with the development of the UK business following the acquisition of the BHS One-Up discount chain. As a result, 16 stores were added to the UK business, most in the Greater London area, and all of a significant size.
In July 2005, the acquisition of Littlewoods stores by ABF plc which comprised an estate of 120 premises was completed, of which 41 stores were transferred to Primark. The major programme for the re-fit and opening of all 41 of these stores had been completed by 2007. In May 2006, Primark opened its first store in Spain ­ in Plenilunio (Madrid). In 2007, a 70,000sq ft store was opened on London's Oxford Street. Primark opened its first store in the Netherlands (Rotterdam) in December 2008. While in May the following year, Primark opened its first store in Portugal (Lisbon) and its first store in Germany (Bremen). In December 2009, Primark opened its first store in Belgium (Liège). April last year saw Primark submit a detailed planning application for a new flagship store on Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland's most famous shopping street.

Plans were approved shortly after this for the retailer to open the 75,000sq ft outlet on the site of the former Marks & Spencer building at 91-93 Princes Street ­ which would provide the Company with its 18th store in Scotland, creating hundreds of construction and retail jobs. Councillor Tom Buchanan, Convener for Economic Development, said: "Like us, Primark recognise the tremendous potential of Princes Street as a shopping destination and I am delighted that, in order to make the very most of this opportunity, they took the time to consult so widely with the public. "Not only will this development provide a welcome boost to our retail offering but it will also create a great many jobs during these difficult times.
"We are continuing to work closely with Primark to help them realise their ambitions to open a flagship store here in the centre of Scotland's Capital." Primark worked with city Architect 3DReid to come up with a design which helps fulfil the 'string of pearls' concept for Princes Street, set out in a comprehensive Development Framework.
The concept divides the historic street into blocks, each with a distinctive mix of retail, leisure and cultural activities that will help to reinforce the unique character and identity of each and help to revive the fortunes of Princes Street as a prime shopping destination. 3DReid was also instrumental in gathering views and feedback from heritage bodies, local businesses and members of the public during the extensive consultation exercise. Main Contractor, Patton Group, was invited to begin works on site in July last year. The project began with the careful demolition of the existing building which was constructed in the 1960s. Due to the location and sensitivity of the site. Patton has used remotely operated machine to meticulously break down the walls and floors of the building. By deploying robots, rather than doing the work by hand, the Patton Group has also ensured that neighbouring buildings are safeguarded and workmen are protected on site during the deconstruction phase of the project. Demolition work took almost ten months, with the second phase of the project involving the erection of the steel frame together with pre-cast concrete cladding to the external elevation. In tandem with this was the construction of the six floor levels. These floors are constructed using a metal deck permanent shuttering system infilled with concrete.
The facade is composed as a series of layers. Each layer or facade component has been developed to perform a specific contextual and programme function. The original Georgian building line serves as a strong datum from which the facade elements recess or advance dependant upon their role. Facade elements are arranged and combined to create a modern architectural statement with its own integrity and poise. The result is a reinterpretation of traditional department store architecture which adheres strongly to the rules provided by the historic context.
The varying functions of the facade are defined as retail brand, street and views. The proposal includes some 75,000sq ft of retail space over six-storeys including storage, staff accommodation and plant areas.
There are two levels of staff accommodation including a staff restaurant. A limited palette of materials have been selected to ensure that the building forms an appropriate and long lasting addition to the heritage setting. Modern materials are employed in a highly considered way to articulate clearly the building diagram and facade concept ensuring a building of integrity and legibility. The striking customer staircase is located in the centre of the space at Rose Street end of the store.
The five sales floors are of a similar footprint, each level leading from Princes Street to Rose Street with the exception of the first floor which is split by Rose Street South Lane. Internal decoration is of a high specification and quite striking. The internal environmental condition is controlled by a very efficient heating and cooling external plant providing warm and cool air, with free cooling for 50% of the year. Specialist fit-out division, Patton Fit-Out, will begin fit-out of the building plus the mechanical and electrical installation, in July.
Due to the buildings either side of the new development being Listed, Patton Group has had to come up with a scheme for sympathetically 'tieing' the new building into the two adjacent properties. Consultations took place between Primark, the Planning Officer, 3D Reid Architects and Patton Group to determine the best solution. The proposal in place involves taking a small sample of stone from one of the adjacent properties and having it analysed at a laboratory to determine what type of stone it is and from which quarry it originated. On completion of this process, Patton Group will employ the services of a local stone mason to build a wall between the new building and its neighbours, creating a seamless joint between the old and new. Work is scheduled to be completed by November in time for shoppers to start their pre Christmas shopping spree.