The historic façade of one of Edinburgh's best-known buildings will be revealed to the public for the first time in more than two years, as scaffolding begins to come down in stages this winter. The Jenners Building, a Princes Street landmark for over 130 years, is being restored and redeveloped by AAA United, a real estate company owned by Anders Holch Povlsen, which bought the site in 2017. GRAHAM is the project's main contractor.

The scheme pairs meticulous conservation of the Category A-listed structure with an ambitious plan to create a mixed-use destination that brings together contemporary retail, hospitality, wellbeing and cultural spaces under one roof.

Working with architects, engineers and specialist teams, the project has involved detailed conservation of surviving historic fabric, reinstatement of damaged or lost original features, and the sensitive integration of new elements in keeping with the building's architectural significance.

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Conceived by David Chipperfield Architects, the masterplan covers 20,000 square metres across four interconnected buildings and 12 storeys. The property's 600 individual windows, spanning 35 different styles, have been catalogued, assessed and protected. The three large, gold-lettered 'JENNERS' signs on the southern and eastern façades have also been refurbished and reinstated as listed historic features.

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."

The external scaffolding has allowed craftspeople to examine the ornate exterior stone by stone, assessing the integrity of each element before deciding on the appropriate conservation approach.

Ratho-based Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation has carefully conserved the 22 female caryatids and 12 female statues on the east- and south-facing façades, and is reapplying breathable, sacrificial shelter coats to provide additional protection.

Falkirk-based Matheson Plumbing Company, a heritage roofing specialist, has undertaken traditional lead work to gutters, dormers and ridges. Rainbow Glass Studios in Prestwick, Scotland's largest stained-glass specialist, has advised on, conserved and restored all decorative glass, including copper lights, heraldic leaded glass and embossed internal screens.

A team from Stirling Stone has reviewed each stone, restoring or replacing it where necessary with Blaxter Sandstone, a fine-grained, honey-coloured material from Northumberland supplied by Dunhouse Quarry.