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UK: A new £1.5 million boutique hotel could open in Edinburgh in summer 2014.
Developers Format Design want to transform an office building on South Bridge into a boutique hotel with ten suites and a restaurant.
Director Bob Tate said: “We are going for a boutique hotel which I think would help to bring South Bridge back upmarket. I remember it used to be quite an interesting place and there were nice shops but the retail market is suffering at the minute which can be seen in the area. It has got a wee bit tacky. We are short of tourist facilities and bed spaces in Edinburgh so these ten suites will add a little bit and complement other leisure facilities on the other side of Cowgate.
“The South Bridge has been a bit downtrodden for a while so it would be nice to get it started with an upmarket project like this if we get the green light. I think there’s a willingness from the council to start making that part of the town a bit more tourist-friendly and this could help,” he added.
The property was built between 1785 and 1788 by architect Robert Kay, one of four buildings that mirrored each other across the street.
www.formatbuildingdesign.com
