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A worldwide search has been launched for hotel and other retail/leisure operators to help breathe new life into a landmark site in Edinburgh devastated by fire.
Buildings on the prime city centre site in the Scottish capital's South Bridge/Cowgate area were destroyed by a massive blaze in December 2002.
Edinburgh-based, family-owned development company Whiteburn Projects is masterminding a £40 million vision to transform the vacant site into a vibrant city district named SoCo.
Whiteburn believes the site could eventually feature an exciting mix of uses such as a top quality hotel, serviced apartments or offices, with shops, bars, restaurants, art gallery and nightclub venue, in a group of new buildings around a series of courtyards.
It will act as a catalyst to attract new interest and investment in the area, which lies at the heart of the Old Town and forms part of Edinburgh's World Heritage site.
The site is bounded by South Bridge to the east and the Cowgate to the north, together with the remaining corner tenement on Chambers Street.
Award-winning Edinburgh architect Allan Murray, who also designed The Tun, a highly acclaimed multi-tenanted office building in Holyrood for Whiteburn, has been enlisted to draw up proposals for the site.
Construction of SoCo is expected to create around 100 jobs and more than 200 once the building has been completed.
John Shepherd, chief executive of Whiteburn, said: "At SoCo, thrilling 21st century architecture will bring together all the levels and layers of this intricate and energetic part of town. It will pitch you right into the heart of everything Edinburgh has to offer and kick-start the regeneration of this well-known but disconnected quarter."
Jonathan Sutton of Storeys:ssp, agent for the developer, said: "SoCo will be a fabulous location for a hotel, luxury apartments or new HQ office building. As an exciting cultural centre, it would be perfect for a gallery, filmhouse, concert hall or fringe venue. We're already fielding enquiries from a variety of potential end users."
A planning application for SoCo is expected to be submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council later this year. The re-development is expected to take around three years to complete.
