Two key elements for the regeneration of Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge district have received approval. Work on the Freer Street site, west of the city centre, is expected to begin by the autumn.
The first scheme to get underway — as part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s master plan for the area — will be for a Union Hanover Securities-backed Urban Villa hotel. Meanwhile, more detailed design work will continue after outline planning consent was granted for a mixed-use residential, leisure and office scheme.
Both projects, together valued at £120m, are being managed by Harrogate-based Amco Developments. Amco is working in conjunction with Union Hanover to deliver a £35m canalside Urban Villa Aparthotel in the Scottish capital.
One of five Urban Villas currently planned for the UK, the Edinburgh hotel will be the “brand defining” flagship and has been designed by New York-based architect Gryzwinski and Pons in conjunction with Edinburgh’s Michael Laird Architects.
The hotel has always been seen as the catalyst for the Fountainbridge site and will contain 180 apartments, lounge and restaurant facilities, a gym and be managed exactly like a traditional luxury hotel.
The city council’s overall vision for Fountainbridge — the area of Edinburgh where James Bond actor Sean Connery was born — will see the construction of 140,000 sq ft of Grade A offices, 182,000 sq ft of retail and commercial space and 78 residential apartments.
