The city council’s Development Management Sub-Committee yesterday granted approval, subject to conditions, for a new 55-room aparthotel on Forth Street and Broughton Street Lane.
This is to be undertaken by independent company, Supercity Aparthotels.
Its first operation in Edinburgh, the aparthotel will incorporate Forth House and Playfair House, current home to Radio Forth, with associated parking, landscaping, and ancillary works.
The stylish aparthotel will includea communal lounge/bar area, with reception facilities provided on a 24/7 basis, and a gym will also be provided. It is estimated that around 18 jobs will be created by the new operation, which lies in close proximity to the city centre, contributing to tourism, which is the city’s third biggest source of employment.
Supercity Aparthotel’s core clients are business travellers and extended stay guests attracted by the central locations. It offers long stay incentives through a higher level of discount for medium-long term bookings. These core client characteristics mean that movements to/from the property will be less than that of the existing use.
The front of B-listed Forth House will remain mostly unchanged, serving to preserve the historic building. Minor changes are proposed on the rear elevation, such as changing an existing opening to a door.
Modern Playfair House, fronting Broughton Street Lane, will be stripped back to its superstructure and a new facade of natural stone and precast concrete built to align with adjacent buildings, reinstating the mews street frontage.
The site benefits from excellent transport links and as such, the existing parking provision is being reduced from 24 spaces to seven. There is some demand for parking associated with the business which will be located within the building undercroft and will not be visible from the street.
Five of the car parking spaces will include electric vehicle charging points. Ten secure cycle parking spaces will be located internally with an additional four external spaces located in the car park.
Roger Walters, Chairman of Supercity Aparthotels commented: “We are delighted that our aparthotel operation has been approved by the committee, which will preserve the fabulous Forth House.
“This is an excellent location for our first operation in Edinburgh, lying close to the busy city centre and will also serve to benefit the community through reducing movements to and from the building than is currently the case.
“We look forward to working commencing onsite and will continue to engage with the community to ensure that it is kept updated as works progress.”
Operating in London, Manchester and Brighton, Supercity Aparthotels is primarily aimed at extended stay guests and business travellers, have led the way in superior and stylish serviced apartment hotels. Its signature personalised and flexible service has established a level of comfort, convenience, and attention to detail that only true independently owned and operated companies can achieve.
It currently has six properties with two new locations in city centre York and Leeds opening by 2023, with strong aspirations to expand into more key locations across the UK.