But while high rise dwellings such as Cables Wynd and Linksview House in Leith, and, earlier this month, eight concrete tower blocks in Aberdeen, now enjoy Category A listings, there have been dozens of 1960s builds over the past generation that have succumbed to the wrecking ball.
We take a look at 11 Edinburgh post-war housing developments that escaped the appreciation of heritage chiefs and the general public and are no more.
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1. Leith tower blocks
Demolition expert Rob Morgan makes the most of the dramatic view of the capital from his 210 foot high scaffold vantage point on about-to-be-demolished high rises Cairngorm House and Grampian House in Leith. Picture taken in 1997. Photo: Paul Edwards
2. Niddrie tower blocks
14-storey Niddrie tower blocks Teviotbank House and Tweedsmuir refused to collapse after explosions were detonated in September 1991. Leeds-based Controlled Demolition had to come back eight hours later and push the buildings over using a hydraulic jib. Photo: Graeme Hunter
3. Wester Hailes flats demolished 1993
Children watching the old Westburn blocks of flats being demolished at Wester Hailes, Edinburgh. Picture taken January 1993. Photo: Colin McPherson
4. Granton flats demolition
A bulldozer starts the demolition of flats at Granton, August 1992. Photo: Jack Crombie