Currently this site houses four retail and restaurant units with vacant office, storage and plant facilities above. CDA were appointed in 2006 to investigate the best way of bringing the whole building into productive use. After thorough consultations with the City of Edinburgh Council and Historic Scotland it was agreed, in principle, that the most appropriate use for the vacant upper floors would be a hotel, entailing a two floor extension and a full refurbishment of the retail units on basement, ground and first floors.
The site occupies a pivotal location adjacent to an A listed Adam building within the World Heritage Site and the existing building is category ‘C’ listed, highlighting the highly sensitive approach that has been required. The proposals now provide for 3,680m² retail space and 4,650m² hotel accommodation and allows for retention and improvement of historically significant facades.
Currently under review by the Planning Department, it is hoped that construction will begin on site early 2011.
