Historic school building in Edinburgh to be converted to boutique hotel

07 July 2016 by Janet Harmer

A 21-bedroom boutique hotel is to be developed in New Waverley, the new £150m city centre district at the heart of Edinburgh's historic Old Town.

Apple Apartments will manage the property, which will involve the transformation of a Victorian school located in the C-listed red sandstone Canongate Venture building.

The hotel will become the fourth hotel announced for New Waverley, alongside a Premier Inn and a Hub by Premier Inn, which are already open, and AccorHotel's aparthotel concept Adagio, which is set to open next year.

It will feature 21 double-height apartments, each with a mezzanine level providing separate sleeping and living areas. A glass atrium forming part of a central galleried hall will remain unchanged. The building was designed in 1901 as an infant school by Edinburgh School Board architect Robert Wilson.

Talks are currently on going with "an internationally recognised successful chef" to operate the restaurant. There will also be 24-hour butler service and a guest lounge.

Launched in 2013, London-based Apple Apartments operate luxury properties in period buildings in the capital, as well as Liverpool, Newcastle, Belfast, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and New York. The company is run by Scottish property development brothers Billy and Peter Cowe.

Billy Cowe said: "We knew straight away that this historic building would be perfect for our next specialist conversion project.

"As well as sitting alongside the Royal Mile, one of the world's most iconic streets, it also has a range of striking features both inside and out, which make it genuinely stand out as a unique destination not just in Edinburgh but across the UK."

Subject to final planning consents, it is expected that the new Apple property will open in the second half of 2017.

Delivered by Artisan Real Estate Investors, the 7.5 acre New Waverley site, which links Waverley Station to the Royal Mile, is being developed by Artisan Real Estate Investors.

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