Union Hanover Securities has been given Minded to Grant planning permission for a £35m Urban Villa boutique hotel by the Union Canal Basin in Edinburgh.
The 180-room hotel on Freer Street has been designed by award-winning New York-based architect Grzywinski + Pons with Edinburgh-based Michael Laird Architects.
The champagne cladding and grey brick build is defined by faceted balcony spaces along its southern façade to maximise light. A particularly striking feature is a fine stainless steel mesh which is virtually invisible to guests but which creates a distinctive landmark in the form of a glistening façade for onlookers.
Urban Villa is a boutique all-suites hotel concept. Besides a bedroom and bathroom, suites include a kitchen and living room that can be transformed to accommodate either business travellers or families.
The Edinburgh hotel will contain 179 Executive Villas (Studios), 11 Master Villas (1 beds) and 4 RockStar Villa’s (2 bed penthouses overlooking the union canal basin with views over the castle), 24 hour reception/concierge, lounge and restaurant facilities, gym and other guest amenities. With considerable frontage on the canal, it will also offer al fresco dining.
Union Hanover managing director Eric Jafari said: “This hotel is a benchmark asset for us. Edinburgh is second only to London in potential for our Urban Villa brand with its mix of corporate and leisure travel.
“Coupled with its myriad of excellent universities it lends itself to our millennial appeal of our concept. We anticipate that this hotel will be the Urban Villa that defines the brand and sets the standard for all future urban villas.
“Work is expected to commence by October. We look forward to its positive impact on the area in helping to create a new destination for Edinburgh by serving as a vibrant social and cultural hub for the local corporate and residential community.”
Union Hanover’s first Urban Villa in West London was launched in January. The 100-suite Urban Villa GWQ is already trading well ahead of the group’s expectations and has been attracting exceptional online reviews. Union Hanover is also set to bring the concept to a site in Aberdeen.
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