Edinburgh hotels in demand with Queen Street extension approved and Haymarket plans submitted

The growing demand for hotel rooms in Edinburgh has been evident this week, with plans to expand one hotel at Queen Street approved, and plans to extend another hotel at Haymarket submitted.

Proposals to add an additional 12 rooms at YOTEL at 68-73 Queen Street through internal alterations to existing rooms, were approved on July 27 by the council’s planning department.

The city centre hotel will now have 292 rooms, by converting larger first class rooms or 'cabins' into premium size between the first and fifth floors, with alterations to non-structural internal partitions, doors and ceilings.

Yotel Edinburgh on Queen Street will have 12 new rooms added after extension plans were approved. | Stock

Approving the extension, the council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “The proposed works are wholly internal and therefore would not constitute development under Section 26 of The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.”

The former Erskine House seven-storey building previously served as a customer service centre and office for the Registers of Scotland alongside HMRC, before operations consolidated back to Meadowbank House around 2011.

Meanwhile, proposals have been lodged to extend the Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh hotel at Haymarket, adding 27 additional guest bedrooms.

The application submitted on July 28 by PHH Haymarket Limited is for “alterations, extension and refurbishment of hotel including public realm, landscaping, cycling parking and other associated works“, at 90 Haymarket Terrace.

The plans would see the former Apex Hotel receive a five-storey extension to the front, bringing the building closer to the main road, and taking the number of rooms available up from 69 to 96.

Proposals have been lodged to extend the Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh hotel at Haymarket, adding 27 additional guest bedrooms. | Google Maps

In the planning documents, the applicant said: “The extension is designed as a contemporary addition that complements the scale, character and architectural language of the existing building while enhancing its relationship with the surrounding townscape.

“Collectively, the proposals represent a significant investment in the future of the hotel.

“The scheme will enhance the appearance and functionality of the site, improve the visitor experience, and strengthen the contribution of the hotel to the character, vitality and economic success of the wider Haymarket area while preserving and enhancing the character and appearance of the New Town Conservation Area.”

An artist's impression of how the hotel extension at Haymarket will look. | Iceni Projects

In addition to the extension, the proposals include comprehensive refurbishment and reconfiguration of the existing building elevations, particularly along Magdala Crescent and Haymarket Terrace.

Significant enhancements to the front-of-house facilities are also proposed, including the relocation of the reception area.

The development will also increase the hotel's food and beverage provision and deliver a range of public realm and landscape improvements.

These include new planting and soft landscaping, enhanced outdoor seating areas, and expanded cycle parking facilities, supporting active travel and responding positively to the adjacent cycle route and wider sustainable transport network.

These plans show the extension will take the builder closer to Haymarket Terrace, in line with neighbouring buildings. | Iceni Projects

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The applicant added: “This application represents the next phase in the ongoing investment and improvement of the hotel at 90 Haymarket Terrace.

“Previous works have focused primarily on the refurbishment and enhancement of the internal accommodation and guest facilities, improving the quality and functionality of the existing hotel operation.

“The current proposals extend this programme of investment to the external fabric, public-facing facilities and wider site environment.

“The application seeks to deliver a high-quality, sustainable and accessible development that enhances both the hotel and its contribution to the wider streetscape, while ensuring the continued viability and long-term success of the business.”

The City of Edinburgh Council’s planning department will now decide whether or not to approve this application, which has so far received no public comments on the online planning portal.

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