Proposed Developments

The State Cinema

Leith

History

The former State Cinema is a 'B listed'  building at the NE side of Great Junction Street, beside the Water of Leith, designed by James Miller.  It opened in the late-1930s and had billiard rooms, a skittle alley and shops. 

The cinema closed in 1972 and was converted to a Mecca Bingo Hall.  In 2002, at a cost of £3m it was converted to an Egyptian-themed club, Babylon Niteclub with glass bridges, sphinx  statues and palm trees.  The club survived for only two years.

Proposed Development

An application  was submitted in February 2006 to convert the building into 28 apartments and a restaurant.  This was submitted by the new owner of the building, Walter Barratt, Glasgow;  architect  Alastair Scott, Edinburgh.

It is proposed that a glass-sided elevator will take customers from the banks of the Water of Leith to the new restaurant, to be built behind the apartments.  The Art Deco frontage of the building is to be retained.

Edinburgh Evening News;  February 4, 2006.  p.9.