What’s in a nickname? Right here, looming over us, is Cables Wynd House. But most people know it as the “Banana Flats” or the “Banana Block” due to its unusual curved shape. This ten-storey local authority housing block has become a true Edinburgh landmark. Constructed between 1962 and 1965, Cables Wynd House was part of a wave of new housing meant to address overcrowding and poor living conditions.
While its Brutalist architecture might be off-putting to some, it reflects a specific moment in architectural history and social thinking. Designed by Alison & Hutchinson & Partners, the building showcases the “New Brutalism” style popular in the late 50s and 60s. This style emphasized raw, exposed materials, particularly concrete, which you can see in the building’s stark facade. But Cables Wynd House is more than just concrete and right angles. The architects, inspired by Le Corbusier’s ideas about community living, incorporated long outdoor access decks. These decks were intended to foster a sense of community, mimicking the shared streets and spaces of the older tenement buildings they replaced.
And if these walls could talk? They’d tell a story woven into the fabric of Edinburgh’s culture. Cables Wynd House gained notoriety in Irvine Welsh’s gritty novel “Trainspotting”. The character of Simon “Sick Boy” Williamson called these flats home. This literary connection cemented the building’s place in pop culture, attracting attention, and making it a popular filming location. In fact, it even appeared in the 2007 television drama “Wedding Belles,” also written by Irvine Welsh.
Today, Cables Wynd House stands as a testament to a bygone era. Its curved silhouette and imposing presence continue to fascinate locals and tourists alike. Awarded an ‘A’ listing by Historic Environment Scotland, it’s recognized as a prime example of Brutalist architecture and a significant piece of Edinburgh’s urban history. Love it or hate it, Cables Wynd House leaves its mark.