Historic Site to Transform with Eco-Conscious Design
Planners behind the redevelopment of a Brutalist Edinburgh building featured in Netflix’s ‘Dept Q’ series have announced innovative sustainability measures, including salvaging materials from the existing structure. The Argyle House complex, located near Edinburgh Castle, will make way for a mixed-use development featuring hotel accommodations, residences, office space, and retail establishments.
Architectural Rebirth with Environmental Focus
A specialized design team has begun cataloging reusable components of the 1960s structure, long criticized for its austere appearance but recently celebrated as a filming location. Development plans indicate a careful deconstruction process aims to recover materials wherever possible, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with new construction.
“While the building’s original construction complicates material recovery, we’ve identified numerous elements suitable for repurposing,” stated the project’s environmental impact assessment. “This approach minimizes waste while preserving embodied energy from existing materials.”
Cinematic Legacy and Economic Transition
The concrete-fronted structure served as police headquarters in multiple productions, most recently appearing in the streaming adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Scandinavian crime novels. The property previously hosted government offices before transitioning to commercial use, housing various businesses including tech incubator CodeBase in its rear annex.
Property records show the building changed ownership in 2023 for approximately £38 million. Current redevelopment proposals aim to revitalize the site ahead of its 2033 lease expiration. Project documents emphasize continuity for existing tenants during planning phases, with economic revitalization cited as a key objective for Edinburgh’s urban core.
Future Vision and Production Continuity
New architectural renderings reveal a modernized complex respecting the site’s cinematic history while addressing longstanding aesthetic criticisms. The redevelopment coincides with Netflix’s recent confirmation of a second season for ‘Dept Q,’ though production schedules remain unaffected by construction timelines.
Urban development analysts highlight this project as part of Edinburgh’s broader trend of transforming postwar architecture through sustainable retrofitting. The full redevelopment proposal remains open for public consultation as planners finalize the blueprints.
