Premier Construction Scotland

New Waverley

Waverley
Written by Roma Publications

New Waverley – Edinburgh’s jewel in the crown

Waverley

Edinburgh’s brand new urban district, the £150 million New Waverley development, has not only transformed the city’s Old Town, it has also picked up industry recognition, having been shortlisted for a RICS (Scotland) Award 2017. The project currently appears within the ‘Regeneration’ category of the RICS (Scotland) Awards 2017, where it faces stiff competition from two other Edinburgh-based schemes: ‘The Schoolhouse’ and ‘Waverley Arches’.

Contemporary, imaginative and inspiring, cutting edge and cool – New Waverley is a new creative, cultural and innovation quarter bringing together offices, homes, shops, art and leisure in a buzzing brand new district. The scheme, carried out for Artisan Real Estate Investors by main contractors McAleer & Rushe, occupies a 7.5 acre site and links Waverley Station to the Royal Mile.

The scheme has included the construction of three brand new hotels delivering 394 bedrooms; The RICS shortlisted Waverley Arches which hosts independent retail and catering businesses; 160,000 sq. ft. of cutting-edge Grade A office space; 28 new retail and leisure opportunities; and 148 apartments and townhouses. The project also includes a £2 million public square surrounded by shops and restaurants.

One component of the project – the 146-apartment Adagio Aparthotel – reached completion in late 2016. The hotel faces directly onto Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and is situated behind a retained façade of the C-listed Sailors Ark building.

Speaking about the opening of the hotel, last year, Adagio Aparthotel Director, Vangelis Porikis, said:

“Adagio is implementing a new generation concept for business travellers and ‘city breakers’ that is smart, economical and immersed in the city. The Adagio Edinburgh provides round-the-clock serviced accommodation, with staff on hand 24/7, combined with the flexibility and independence of 146 modern apartments.”

Another aspect of the New Waverley development was the conversion of a historic Royal Mile school building into a spectacular boutique hotel and restaurant. The C-listed red sandstone Canongate Venture building, one of Edinburgh’s last remaining ‘School Board’ designs of the late-Victorian era, has become a 21-room luxury aparthotel, managed by Apple Apartments.

Works to the two-storey building included the conversion of original school rooms into 21 double-height serviced apartments, each with a mezzanine level providing separate sleeping and living spaces. The rooms overlook a light-filled glass atrium forming part of a spectacular central galleried hall.

 

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Roma Publications