PLANS have been submitted to convert a B-Listed buildings on Edinburgh’s Princes Street and Hanover Street into 24 serviced apartments and office HQ for Destiny Scotland.
Destiny Scotland has appointed conservation specialist Studio LBA as lead consultant and architect for the project.
The buildings, located within Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, are described as currently being in a semi-derelict state internally having laid vacant for decades. The properties previously received full planning permission and listed building consent for conversion into 30 serviced apartments. The newly submitted proposals will supersede the previous consent and modify the proposals to the roof level, as well as retaining the first-floor commercial space as an office for Destiny Scotland.
The few remaining original features will be retained and ‘sensitively restored’, while modern and environmentally beneficial materials will be integrated into the design, including thermal upgrades and new windows to combat current heat loss.
John Cameron, conservation architect and associate at Studio LBA, said, “It’s fantastic to add another project with Destiny Scotland to our portfolio. The buildings, situated within Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, have stood vacant for several decades and are now in a fragile, semi-derelict condition. Their restoration presents an important opportunity to conserve and protect the historic character of these properties, ensuring that their legacy within the city’s architectural heritage is safeguarded for future generations.”
John was recently awarded RIAS conservation accreditation, recognising his expertise in the repair, adaptation, and thoughtful conservation of Scotland’s historic buildings.
Stuart Moffat, MD at Destiny Scotland Group, added, “We pride ourselves on offering a home-from-home at each of our apartment locations and it’s exciting to bolster our portfolio with this new addition on Princes Street. Studio LBA have the exact expertise to lead this sympathetic conservation project, enhancing and modernising the building into luxury serviced apartments.”
The design team consists of Studio LBA as architect, SF Structures as structural engineers, OFR Consultants as fire engineer, Brownriggs as quantity surveyor, and Waverley Ltd as mechanical engineers.
