Cockburn Conversations: Argyle House

2 September 2026, 17:00–18:30 | Online

Join us for another Cockburn Conversation, this time focusing on the future of Argyle House, one of Edinburgh’s most prominent and debated post-war buildings.

Argyle House occupies a highly visible site within Edinburgh’s Old Town and World Heritage Site. Current proposals would see the existing building demolished and the site comprehensively redeveloped for a mix of uses.

The debate raises some important questions for Edinburgh. How should we assess the significance of post-war architecture? What weight should be given to the carbon already embodied in existing buildings? How can major redevelopment respond successfully to the historic character, skyline and sense of place of the Old Town? And what should good development look like in such a sensitive location?

With a planning application expected, this timely conversation will provide an opportunity to explore these issues and hear different perspectives on the building and its future.

We’re still confirming our speakers, but wanted to get the date on your radar early. Further details will follow.

Click HERE to sign up for this event!

Argyle House is one of Edinburgh’s most significant and contested redevelopment proposals. The owners are preparing a planning application to demolish the existing building and replace it with a mixed-use development including homes, hotel accommodation and offices. The proposals raise important questions about the future of the city centre, the balance between regeneration and conservation, and how Edinburgh responds to the challenges of climate change, economic viability and urban design.

The debate has taken a significant turn following Historic Environment Scotland’s recent assessment of Argyle House. HES concluded that the building meets the criteria for listing but decided not to designate it because the redevelopment proposals are already at an advanced stage. It has indicated that the building’s status could be reconsidered if the current proposals do not proceed or if the City of Edinburgh Council were to serve a Building Preservation Notice.

The Cockburn Association has published its initial response to the Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) consultation. We have argued that no irreversible decisions should be taken until the wider implications of this case have been fully considered, and that any redevelopment should be informed by a transparent assessment of options including retrofit, whole-life carbon and the potential for reuse, alongside consideration of design quality, heritage significance and the long-term future of the site.

This is not a straightforward debate, and there are strongly held views on all sides. Argyle House raises wider questions about how Edinburgh should manage change within its historic environment, and how decisions are made when heritage, sustainability, economic considerations and development aspirations intersect.

That’s why we’re hosting a Cockburn Conversation dedicated to Argyle House. The first part of the evening will feature speakers exploring the building’s history, its architectural and heritage significance, the redevelopment proposals and the wider planning issues they raise. This will be followed by an open discussion, giving everyone the opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives and contribute to an informed conversation about one of the city’s most important current planning debates.

We’ll be hosting an online Cockburn Conversation on Argyle House on Wednesday 2nd September, 17:00-18:30, so please register HERE to join us