A plush new 67-bedroom hotel with a restaurant and courtyard is coming to Edinburgh’s New Town.
The City of Edinburgh Council granted permission to Silvermills Land and Estates for the new hotel on Monday August 16.
The site at Picardy Place currently hosts a vacant hotel, bar/restaurant and rental flats occupying two adjoining, extended former townhouses, plus an operational public house within Broughton Street Lane.
This former townhouse is the centrepiece of a sandstone constructed, three storey basement and attic, classical style palace block designed by Robert Burn in 1803.
As well as the hotel and restaurant the renovation of B-listed townhouse properties will also include the erection of a mezzanine platform and courtyard roof.
Historic Environment Scotland objected to the proposal during the early planning stages in February of this year.
However, they said on the planning application that developments since then have addressed their concerns and they withdrew their objection.
They said: “In February 2021 we objected to the LBC application for the proposals for these two adjoining listed buildings.
“We had no concerns with the principle of the application, but considered the plans were insensitive and would have had a significantly harmful impact on the listed buildings and their associated mews.
“Since February we have received additional information on the previous conversion of the buildings, specifically, the treatment of the British Order of Free Gardeners Hall. We have also received a set of revised drawings which partly address our previous concerns.
“On balance, these revisions are enough for us to withdraw our objection. However, we still have considerable concerns with the scheme and consider that improvements would be beneficial.”
The council granted permission for the new hotel on August 16.
