It is interesting to note that the building was still using gas lighting at this
time and the provision of electric lighting was not a consideration, according to a contemporary
newspaper report. Electricity did not come to Princes Street until 1895.
Other major developments were happening in this part of Edinburgh during this period. The modern
Waverley Station was constructed between 1892 - 1902. The construction of the huge North British
Station Hotel, in 1901, across the road at the western side of the North Bridge, not only changed
Edinburgh's skyline but tended to dwarf the post office and other surrounding buildings, a situation
that did not go down well in some circles.
Robertson's extensions to the GPO had not long been completed before they were again found to be
insufficient to keep pace with the rapid development of post office services, More space was urgently
needed for the letter and parcel sorting departments, as well as storage space for the telegraph engineers.
Created in the space of less than 100 years as an 'Athens of the North', the New Town is
a tribute to the intellectual talent of a small number of individuals who conceived and developed the idea
in latter part of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th. One of these, the young Architect, James
Craig, is credited with creating the plan which formed the basis for the new town. One of the pillars of
Craig's plans was the construction of North Bridge, opened to pedestrians in 1769 but not fully completed until 1772.
One of the first to cash in on the potential of the new bridge was David Ross, who built the Theatre Royal close
to the northern end of the bridge (later demolished to make way for the GPO building). Opening of the theatre
was delayed, however, when part of the bridge collapsed, killing five workmen. Fortunately the damage was
relatively small and was easily repaired.
Another to spot the potential of the North Bridge was an enterprising coachbuilder who, in 1770, bought up
160 feet of frontage in the area where the North British Station Hotel (now the Balmoral) was later
constructed and opened in 1902.
