UK: Rosedene House in Inverness is undergoing a multi-million-pound transformation into a 10-unit aparthotel.
The Victorian mansion is being converted by Inverness businessman Amjed Rasul.
Rasul said the development will help to alleviate Inverness’s seasonal accommodation shortage as well as offering visitors something new.
“I am very excited about it, combining as it will, residential and hospitality. Inverness and the Highlands have a great mix of holiday and short stay accommodation with hotel rooms, B&B’s, guest houses, serviced apartments and hotels with apartments but this fusion is unique in the marketplace. There is also the fusion of the old and the new, classical and modern. It’s a stunning 19th Century building with the most amazing internal hallway and architectural design features. These serviced apartments, under one roof and one ownership, are specifically for short-stay leisure, corporate and relocation guests. The site and building is well suited for the purpose and we can easily accommodate in excess of 20 cars with a private gated entrance and secure enclosed garden offering easy access to both local leisure facilities and Ness Islands. Essentially the dimensions and facilities offer more than the standard hotel room and allows the guests to have a more personal local experience,” said Rasul.
The Grade B Listed property dates from the mid-19th century and sits on a one acre site. For the last decade the building has operated as a beauty and cosmetic treatment centre and prior to that it housed offices. It has also been a children’s home, a women’s refuge centre and a maternity hospital.
Rasul added: “After a detailed feasibility study, we invested in research and development and consultations at a local and national level and a market niche was identified and model created around that. We then went through the planning process and were delighted that the local planning authorities backed our proposals.
“We also held a community information night on site to discuss the planned use and were delighted to have received the backing of the local residents and the community council who will now see the site brought back to use after significant investment that will add great value to the area. “
The property is scheduled to open in early 2020.
