WORK has been completed on a new boutique hotel for Malmaison in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.
S Harrison has transformed the historic Buchan House into a 72-bedroom hotel complete with Malmaison’s Chez Mal Bar and Brasserie. The hotel has created around 50 new jobs.
Work started in May 2018, with Edinburgh-based Sharkey acting as principal contractor on the project.
David Clancy from S Harrison said, “This development has brought a prominent building back to life, along with all its rich architectural heritage and Georgian period splendour. It’s in a fantastic location, on one of Edinburgh’s most prestigious and important squares, and it complements all the other work taking place in the surrounding area, including the new £1 billion Edinburgh St James development.
“Our experience of sympathetically restoring historic and heritage buildings, combined with Malmaison’s vision for creating interiors that are distinctive, stylish and extremely luxurious, has ultimately created one of Scotland’s finest boutique hotels. There’s no doubt it’s going to be hugely popular with both business and leisure travellers, from across the world, who want an exceptional and memorable place to stay.”
Guus Bakker, CEO EMEA at Frasers Hospitality, who own the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin brands added, “Returning to the heart of where Malmaison started is a real milestone for us and we are looking forward to offering a fourth offering in the city, in addition to our Malmaison property in Leith and our Hotel du Vin and Fraser Suites locations in Edinburgh’s old town. Edinburgh is such an integral and exciting city and the boutique elements of Malmaison and Chez Mal’s offerings really tie in well to the atmosphere and spirit of the Scottish capital.”
The main part of Buchan House was built in 1775 as five houses by architect and builder John Young. Individuals including politicians, lords and business leaders have lived there. More recently, it was used as offices by IBM.
In October, S Harrison was granted planning permission to develop a 394-bedroom student accommodation scheme on the corner of Westfield Road and Westfield Avenue, close to Murrayfield Stadium. The developer is also exploring opportunities for a 0.6 hectare site on Ocean Drive in Leith and a site on Gorgie Road.
