TH Real Estate has been granted planning permission by the City of Edinburgh Council for the luxury 'ribbon' hotel, which will sit at the heart of its mixed-use Edinburgh St James scheme.
The Central Hotel application marks the last major planning decision by the City of Edinburgh Council, and signifies another key milestone for Edinburgh St James, one of largest regeneration projects currently underway in the UK.
Architecture practice, Jestico + Whiles, has designed the striking hotel as a bundle of ‘coiled ribbons’, creating a free-flowing design which will complement the development’s elegantly understated masterplan. The building will create a new landmark venue for the city, and will include up to 210 beds, restaurants, bars and a rooftop terrace at uppermost levels, providing never-seen-before panoramic views across the city.
Now the hotel designs have been given the green light, TH Real Estate is looking forward to the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) scheduled for September. Subject to its successful resolution, the team will work towards a January vacant possession of the St James Centre. This will enable demolition works to begin onsite in early 2016, with completion anticipated to be in 2020.
Martin Perry, Director of Development, TH Real Estate, commented, 'We are thrilled that the City of Edinburgh Council has supported our vision for the hotel. The building will be the centrepiece of Edinburgh St James and will reinforce the city’s position as an international destination.
'The hotel’s iconic design has already generated interest from global hotel operators, and today’s decision to approve our proposals takes us one step closer to starting work on-site next year and to delivering the development.”