UK: Union Hanover Securities has been given Minded to Grant planning permission for a £35 million Urban Villa boutique hotel by the Union Canal Basin in Edinburgh.
The 180-room hotel on Freer Street has been designed by New York-based architect Grzywinski + Pons with Edinburgh-based Michael Laird Architects.
Urban Villa is a boutique all-suites hotel concept. Besides a bedroom and bathroom, suites include a kitchen and living room. The Edinburgh hotel will contain 179 Studios, 11 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom units, 24-hour reception/concierge, lounge and restaurant facilities, gym and other guest amenities.
Architect Matthew Grzywinski said: “We are very excited that we now have permission to begin work on delivering this project that we were so pleased to have the opportunity to design in a setting with as rich of an architectural history as Edinburgh. We are confident that our vision will both respect and enhance the built fabric of this wonderful city”.
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 ospitality director Andrew Fowler added: “Our Villas are specifically designed to alter their layouts whether providing for the corporate extended stays or the leisure/ family traveller, thus affording us the ability to enhance the guest experience. This is particularly important in Edinburgh where there is a huge swing in customer demographics throughout the year.”
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