In March 2002 Calton Gate was designed for the Cuckfield Group by one of the world's largest Architects practices, Gensler, with Hackland & Dore Architects of Edinburgh Over £100 million was to be invested in the development and the site was to be cleared to make way for a new scheme which would have integrated 200,000 sq ft of premium office space, 55 high specification apartments and a 28,000 sq ft arts and media centre. The plans also included a health and fitness centre plus cafes, bars and restaurant facilities. The developers said their priority in developing these plans had been to create an attractive, appealing development that reflected the site's setting within a World Heritage city and was in keeping with the framework of the existing Waverley Valley Strategy. They said they had worked closely with a number of community and conservation bodies, including World Heritage Trust, The Cockburn Association, Scottish Civic Trust, Royal Fine Arts Commission and Joint Mobility Unit to ensure that Calton Gate was in tune with its surroundings and that the design of the buildings achieved that aim. They also said they were aware that it was important the Calton Gate development worked for residents and businesses alike, and they worked with the people of Edinburgh to create the best scheme possible. They said that they would continue with their extensive consultation process as they moved forward to ensure the final scheme meets the needs of the whole community." Calton Gate - PR 21 Mar 2002 said that:

On completion Calton Gate will comprise:

• 200,000 sq ft of premium office space within minutes of Edinburgh's road and rail links
• 300 underground parking spaces
• a new arts and media centre providing a ! new venue for small conferences or business events
• a number of cafés, bars and restaurants that will extend the vitality of the area beyond working hours
• 55 high specification apartments
• a natural pedestrian route from the new Scottish Parliament building at the eastern end of the Royal Mile to the Executive buildings on Calton Hill via access through the site and a possible new bridge link at the northern end of the development

Award-winning Architects, Gensler, is the creative force behind the Calton Gate masterplan. Architectural features include:

• innovative green roofscapes - planted roofs that can be accessed on different stepped levels by the building occupants
• glass-walled 'hanging atria' inside buildings to create a flood of natural light into internal open spaces
• consideration of existing and creation of new views across the Waverley Valley
• a cantilevered building to form an attractive architectural feature and focal point gateway off Calton Road
• underground vehicle access and parking
• a series of linear buildings across the site finished in sandstone and glass

Calton Gate Environmetntal features include:

• the removal of all contaminated land currently present on the site from previous use
• green roofscape - landscaped rooftops to provide insulation and improved acoustic qualities and to enhance the appearance of the scheme from the city's Calton Hill
• landscaped public squares, pedestrian routes and easy access for disabled people

Jones Lang LaSalle, DTZ and Smith Cole Wright were appointed as joint agents for Calton Gate which was due for completion in 2004. In December 2003, Edinburgh City Council granted detailed planning permission for a modified version of this scheme.