Long-running plans to turn Edinburgh city centre office into a new boutique hotel approved despite objections
Plans to turn an Edinburgh city centre office into a new boutique hotel have been approved, despite six objections from locals.
However, the plans to transform 29 Albany Street received 27 notes of support on the council’s online planning portal.
The plans were submitted by Top Property Edinburgh Ltd way back in November, 2024, and finally approved by the council’s planning department on February 20.
Approving the plans, the council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “The proposed use is appropriate in this location and would support the vitality of the area. The proposal is of an acceptable design and supports the principles of sustainability. There are no material considerations which outweigh this conclusion.”
Externally, there will be fabric repairs carried out to original stonework, metalwork, doors and glazing, slate and lead work. Non -original components will be “replaced as necessary with components in like style to the original”.
A stone wash is proposed to blend the front façade with neighbouring buildings on the street to “obtain as unified an appearance across the original terrace as is practical”.
Internally, the layout will retain the principal rooms. Cornices, panels, doors, woodwork and metalwork will be restored to their original condition. Non-original components will be, where possible, replaced with “components in like style to the original”.
It is proposed that the extension at the back of the property will be reconfigured internally to accommodate guest rooms on two levels. This will involve some lowering of floor levels to gain the room heights required.
Top Property’s agent Staran Architects Ltd said in the planning documents: “The layouts will be maintained with guest suites introduced into the principal rooms.
“As en-suite facilities will be an essential component to the new function these will be designed and installed as pod construction, with minimal impact on the existing building fabric, in order that they can be removed at a later time without detriment to the base building.
“Where possible the thermal performance of the building will be enhanced.”
The 33 comments on the council’s online planning portal, 27 notes of support and six objections, have been kept private.
The applicant now has three years to begin work to turn the Albany Street office into a new boutique hotel.
For the latest public notices from your area, please visit: https://publicnoticeportal.uk/