The Tay Hotel building in Dundee is being transformed to convert it into a chic Malmaison hotel.
Work on the 91-bedroom hotel began in spring 2012 and will be completed in July 2013, opening for business in August/September 2013. The hotel will be entirely refurbished internally but will keep its 1890’s exterior.
As one of the most prominent buildings in central Dundee, The Tay Hotel fell into disrepair after being closed for many years and it has remained derelict for 15 years. It is hoped that the £15 million redevelopment will turn the building back into an important city landmark once again.
As well as over 90 bedrooms and suites, the hotel will house a bar and brasserie, a 150-cover banqueting suite and a wine-tasting room.
Malmaison signed a 35-year operating lease with developer MEC Services and the new hotel expected to create around 120 jobs.
Gary Davis, Chief Executive of MWB, the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin group, said:
“Builders are on site and we are currently working on our internal designs for bedrooms and the restaurant and other public spaces.
“Dundee is our first new hotel for three years so, while we’re still going to keep the same Malmaison feel, it will be very much today’s look rather than the designs of a few years ago.
“It will still have the DNA of a Malmaison hotel, but of what one should be in the future.”
The project forms part of the £1 billion redevelopment of Dundee waterfront, which will include the £45 million V&A museum to be built overlooking the River Tay.
The main contractor on the project is Interserve and the architect is Curious Architecture.
Interserve will replace sash and casement windows and timber shutters as part of the conservation project. In addition they will repair a feature lead dome on the building’s roof, refurbish a feature staircase and cupola located on the stairs’ landing and replace or redress Scottish slates on the building’s mansard roof. Interserve will also rebuild the existing structures and fire escape staircase in the atrium which were rotten and had collapsed.
Councillor Ken Guild, leader of Dundee City Council and chairman of the Dundee Waterfront Board, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Malmaison to Dundee as a key part of the new waterfront, particularly as the new hotel will result in the restoration of one of our finest historic buildings to create a landmark destination right at the heart of the regeneration of the city.”
The transformation of Dundee’s waterfront is the second largest regeneration project in Scotland and is within the top 20 such projects throughout the UK. The area spans 240 hectares of land stretching 8km along the River Tay.
The Dundee Central Waterfront Development will see a dramatic change to this part of the city. Split up into zones, the waterfront will see improvements in terms of new riverside flats, office space, civic space and improvements to the port as well as the £45 million V&A museum.
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
“MWB’s decision to open a new Malmaison in Dundee reflects the significant opportunities for development and growth in the city.
“The city’s successful games sector and the creation of the V&A at Dundee strengthen its reputation as a centre for the creative industries and its ability to attract new investment and visitors.
“The announcement demonstrates confidence in the local economy and will bring new jobs to the city. Malmaison has chosen an excellent location in the Dundee central waterfront development.”
