Edinburgh £20m boutique hotel will give 'panoramic' views across the city

by XPRESS, 17 October 2018

A £20 million luxury hotel built on a key gap site in Edinburgh’s historic city centre has been unveiled after remaining hidden behind a crane and scaffolding for more than two years.

Work began on the eight-storey Market Street Hotel in 2016, which is situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage and Old Town Conservation Area - located directly between Craig’s Close and City Arts Centre.

Throughout the extended construction period, the project, designed by jmarchitects, has been kept under wraps.

However, in preparation for opening for the first time next year, local residents and visitors are now getting an unobstructed view of the luxury hotel.

The building has already won architectural praise; including an AR MIPIM Future Project Commendation for the way its original contemporary design deploys the materials, proportions and geometries of its highly urban historical context.

Once open, guests to the hotel will be able to enjoy a top floor lounge with panoramic views across the Waverley Valley to the New Town from Princes Street Gardens to Calton Hill from a specially-designed champagne bar roof terrace.

'The big crane is gone'
Lezley Marion Cameron, EDI Board Chair: ''Since work commenced in 2016 there has been a lot of local interest in our progress. Now that the big crane is gone and the scaffolding has been removed, people can judge the results for themselves and really see, for the first time, a stunning design that complements the unique architecture of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

''The project presented major design challenges with the site surrounded by historic buildings on three sides and by Market Street and Waverley Station directly in front.

''We are immensely proud to be delivering an outstanding luxury hotel in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, and that a long-vacant site has been brought back into use for residents and visitors to enjoy, which is in such close proximity to Waverley Station and Edinburgh’s bus and tram connections."

The design reflects the 'heritage of the location'
Carlton Hotel Collection’s Managing Director Alfred Bree said the Market Street Hotel will be Scotland’s first Design Hotel™, with each room meticulously finished with style and design, bringing a new dimension to the city’s hotel supply.

He said: ''Throughout the hotel, the interior design reflects the heritage of the location while meeting all demands of the international modern traveller. We are working hard to put the finishing touches to it so that this remarkable building will be ready for our guests to enjoy soon.''

Article credit: Edinburghlive