TIAA Henderson Real Estate has announced it has appointed architecture and interior design practice Jestico + Whiles to design the luxury hotel which will be the centrepiece of its £850m Edinburgh St James development.
The vision for the hotel includes a lofty bar, lounge and restaurant space boasting 360 degree panoramic views over the UNESCO world heritage city, and will include up to 210 rooms. A 41,000 sq ft apart hotel also has the potential to provide between 52–70 suites.
Edinburgh St James will deliver 750,000 sq ft of prime retail space including a multi-screen cinema and more than 30 dining destinations. It is due to complete in 2020, with work starting later this year.
This development will help move Edinburgh further up the UK retail rankings, from 13th to seventh and will support the city’s tourist industry which contributes an estimated £260m to Edinburgh’s economy each year.