Edinburgh’s OMNi Centre is marking the 20th anniversary of its beloved giraffe sculpture, Dreaming Spires, with a line-up of colourful celebrations, including playful party hats, exciting giveaways and a creative community initiative.
Created in 2005 by renowned Scottish artist Helen Denerley, the towering giraffes – affectionately named Martha and Gilbert – have become more than just a striking piece of public art.
Sculpted entirely from scrap metal, they were designed to inspire imagination, spark conversation, and encourage people to look ahead and think big. Over the years, they’ve also become a beloved local landmark and a natural meeting point for friends, families, and visitors alike.
This enduring role as a gathering place has inspired OMNi’s recent brand refresh and new tagline: ‘Let’s Meet at OMNi’. As the centre undergoes a £5 million refurbishment, the giraffes remain a symbol of creativity, connection and community – values that are central to OMNi’s vision for the future.
To kick-start the celebrations, OMNi has adorned the giraffes with colourful party hats complete with playful tassels, just in time for the buzz of Edinburgh Fringe. A new information stand beside the sculpture invites visitors to learn about the giraffes’ story and their place in the city’s cultural fabric.
Eilidh Parker, OMNi Deputy Centre Manager, said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate Dreaming Spires’ 20th Anniversary during this exciting time of transformation.
“As OMNi’s refurbishment gets underway, we’re full of anticipation and excitement for what’s ahead. Huge thanks to our partners at Edinburgh Zoo and Helen Denerley for making this moment memorable.
“Here’s to the next 20 years of growth, creativity and collaboration.”
From today, 23 July, OMNi will launch a 4-week social media competition with four Vue cinema tickets, four sets of Edinburgh Zoo tickets and giraffe plush toys up for grabs each week, courtesy of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), the wildlife conservation charity which runs the zoo.
A local primary school initiative in August will round off the celebrations with a design project co-created with Helen Denerley and RZSS.
Helen Denerley, Dreaming Spires Sculptor and Scottish Artist, said: “When I was invited to tender for a sculpture at the Omni Centre, the brief was to relate to the history of the site. I decided it would be more fun and interesting to look forward to our future and aspirations, rather than dwelling on the past.
“I always hoped that the giraffes would create their own history, and twenty years on I am delighted to see how much they have been taken to heart by locals and visitors alike.”
Continuing the momentum, OMNi has also announced a 12-month corporate partnership with the wildlife charity to support conservation efforts at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park. As part of this collaboration, OMNi is adopting a resident giraffe at the Zoo – further cementing its commitment to wildlife, education, and community engagement.
Phillip Mathis, Learning Manager at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that OMNi has committed to supporting our wildlife conservation charity over the coming year.
“This partnership will not only shine a light on our mission to create a world where nature is protected, valued, and loved, but also inspire young people across Edinburgh to think creatively about how they can help wildlife in their everyday lives, recognising the cultural importance of our sites.
“With the exciting design project launching later this summer, we can’t wait to see the incredible ideas local primary schools will bring to life.”
The anniversary celebrations coincide with OMNi’s transformation into a more vibrant, welcoming space. While the refurbishment is underway, OMNi and its brands remain open and fully accessible. Visitors can follow progress and updates via OMNi’s website and social media channels.
OMNi is open 6am – 1am, Monday to Sunday. Individual brand opening times may vary, including Bank Holidays.