Netflix's Dept Q building refused listed status

An Edinburgh building featured in Netflix drama Dept Q which faces possible demolition has been refused listed status despite meeting the requirements.

Heritage body Historic Environment Scotland (HES) received a proposal to grant the listed designation to Argyle House, at West Port, in December after plans were published to replace it with a "mixed-use" development.

Under the proposals the brutalist 1960s block - which was used for exterior shots of the police station in the Netflix series - would be torn down.

That prompted a campaign to save it but an application for listed status was rejected for a third time due to planning applications being at an advanced stage.

Argyle House has in the past been branded Edinburgh's "ugliest building".

But HES found did meet requirements to be a listed building as it is a "major example" of a modern commercial building of 1960s Scottish Modernism.

Many factors were taken into account, including the careful considerations that were taken to complement the historic area during construction that includes a main view of the Castle.

Blue flint panels of the intersecting towers were chosen as they emulate the dark stone of the Castle Rock.

A Blaxter sandstone finish of the lower range was used that reflects the ashlar stonework of the neighbouring 19th century terraces.

HES also said that it is a rare surviving example of a large-scale office set-piece from this period in a major Scottish city.

Many such buildings have been demolished in recent years including the Royal Bank of Scotland Computer Centre on Dundas Street.

HES, which manages the status of all listed buildings in Scotland, explained that they would not proceed at this time with a proposal to list the building while the development plans are at an advanced stage.

It was previously rejected for listed status in both 2007 and 2008.

The listing of buildings in Scotland is split between three categories.

A-listed status represents a national significance, B-listed status is for regional importance and C-listed is for local importance.

While a listed designation does not automatically prevent a building being demolished, it requires special planning approval and is often rejected.

Plans to demolish the building were put before City of Edinburgh Council in November last year.

Details of the plans say Argyle House could be replaced by a "mixed-use" development featuring a hotel, residential properties, office and retail space.

As well as featuring in Dept Q, the front of the building was also the headquarters of the fictional Lothian Police force in the ITV series Crime, written by Irvine Welsh.

In the Netflix drama, Matthew Goode plays DCI Carl Morck, a difficult detective who is exiled to the basement where he leads a newly formed cold-case squad.

Argyle House, built between 1966 and 1969, was sold to US firm PGIM Real Estate for about £38m in 2023.

It was initially built to house local and national government offices, but is now home to a variety of different firms.

Telereal Trillium, which leases the facility for technology incubator project CodeBase from PGIM, has a lease on the building until 2033.

A document released as part of a consultation on the proposed redevelopment, by developer Hendersonherd, said the plans were being considered in advance of the lease expiring in 2033 "to ensure the site can be regenerated and continue to deliver economic benefit to the city".

Patricia-Ann Young, communications officer at HES said following the assessment of Argyle House the decision not to list the building at this time has been published.

She explained: "Our view is that the building is of architectural and historic interest and therefore meets the criteria for listing.

"However, in line with our policy, we are not proposing a listing at this time because of ongoing development proposals. The full report of our decision can be viewed on the HES portal.

"Given it has been 18 years since the last review, we carried out a new assessment, which has taken into account an increased understanding of the building type and this period as well as up to date information about the site."