In Pictures: 14 images reveal the first look inside the Jenners Building, Edinburgh

Barricaded behind locked doors and trapped in scaffolding, the grand and imposing Jenners Building is starting to breath again.

For years, artisans, specialists, architects and builders have been lovingly preserving and restoring this grand lady of Princes Street back to her former glory, and Edinburgh locals will delight as she is set to gradually emerge over the coming months.

The Jenners Building recent history saw a devasting fire tear through the building, and tragically, the life of firefighter Barry Martin was lost.

Three year’s later, the scaffolding will soon start to come down, with the buildings honey coloured stone and iconic façade put on display again as the exterior work nears completion.

Andrew Keith, managing director of The Jenners Building, said: “Those of us working on the restoration have had the privilege of seeing the Victorian craftsmanship up close, and it is extraordinary. Over the coming months the façade will gradually re-emerge. Edinburgh is getting The Jenners Building back, and people will be able to see the care that has gone into conserving it.

Read more here: Jenners Heritage in Pictures: Here are 29 pictures of the much-missed Edinburgh department store from the 1950s and 1960s

“It is a much-loved building that has always belonged to Edinburgh. There is still a great deal to do inside, but we are making good progress towards it once again playing a central role in the life of the city.”

The building was originally designed by Scottish architect William Hamilton Beattie, completed between 1895 and 1905, and to this day remains one of the capital’s defining examples of Renaissance Revival architecture.

Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation, based locally in Ratho, has carefully conserved the 22 female caryatids and 12 female statues on the building’s east- and south-facing facades.

Graciela Ainsworth explained: “It was a genuine privilege to return to the female caryatids and statues at The Jenners Building in 2025, a full 30 years after our initial conservation of them in 1995.

“Today, we are reapplying breathable, sacrificial shelter coats to give these vulnerable statues another layer of defence.

“This project has been a career highlight, blending our original care with today’s best practices, and I’m immensely proud to have helped conserve these sculptures for a new generation.”

Despite the volume of work that has already gone into this treasured building, completion is still a long way off, with an opening date not expected before 2029.

The Jenners Building was purchased in 2017 by AAA United, a real estate company owned by Anders Holch Povlsen.

The new plans for the building have been described as “a mixed-use development that seamlessly integrates contemporary retail, hospitality, wellbeing and cultural offerings within a single destination.”

Falkirk-based Matheson Ltd, specialists in heritage roof work were called in to carry out the lead work to the gutters, dormers and ridges.

Director Fraser Matheson said: “As a company that has worked on many of Edinburgh’s historic properties, we are honoured to be involved with a building as iconic as this one. I have fond memories of visiting the building as a child, so now playing a part in its evolution is a joy.”

Here are 14 newly revealed pictures showing the work so far.