Hilton Hotel Edinburgh, Scottish Capial Accommodation, UK, Caledonian Redevelopment Plans

Caledonian Hilton Hotel, Edinburgh

Hilton Edinburgh Accommodation: Princes St / Lothian Rd, Edinburgh, Scotland

Caledonian Hilton

Hotel Renewal

photo © Adrian Welch, Jul 2007

£22m redevelopment of the Hilton Caledonian Hotel started today.

Internal Courtyard proposal:

Proposals include refurbishing rooms and making more luxury rooms but most interesting is the proposal to expand into the car park area, creating a massive glazed atrium reminiscent of the Concourse that once stood on the site. 230108

£22 MILLION INVESTMENT FOR CALEDONIAN HILTON

Work Begins On One Of Edinburgh’s Most Iconic Buildings Reflecting Ambitious Hilton Hotels Plans In Scotland

Renowned as one of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmark buildings, the Caledonian Hilton is set to receive a New Year investment of £22 million to retain its position as a world class full service hotel.

Proposed guestroom:

The investment, which comes from new owners, The Caledonian Operating Company Ltd, will commence in mid January.

The overall strategy for the hotel will include the creation of a courtyard lounge, the relocation of the main hotel restaurant and a substantial investment in upgrading the hotels bedrooms. However further plans are already in the pipeline in addition to the current programme which will take place over a two to three year period.

A further planning application will be logged with Edinburgh City Council for the creation of an additional 50 superior rooms in the car park area of the Caledonian Hilton and discussions are already underway to transform the hotel’s leisure club into an international standard spa on completion of the existing plan of work.

Announcing the investment today, Willy Blattner, general manager of the Caledonian Hilton, said: “The Caledonian Hilton is an iconic landmark on Princes Street and this substantial investment will allow us to not only overhaul the interior of the hotel but also to maintain the character of this historic building.

“The creation of a grand courtyard lounge in 2009 on the site of the old original station concourse will form the new heart of the hotel and its glass roof will echo the original Victorian station allowing guests to see the internal façade of the Caledonian Hilton.

“This is a major programme of activity and on completion the Caledonian Hilton will be one of the finest hotels in the world.”

Work is due to kick-off mid-January 2008 and the first five months of activity will see the refurbishment of 84 guestrooms in the Rutland Street wing by leading interior design specialist RPW Design.

Bedrooms constructed to the rear of the hotel in the 1970’s are also set to be extended and 33 rooms on the 5th floor will be transformed to create 23 spacious deluxe rooms, many of which will have views directly over Edinburgh Castle.

An external refurbishment will also take place to maintain the historic fabric of the building, with scaffolding being erected in mid January.

The main hotel restaurant will be extended and relocated to face Rutland Street with its own dedicated external entrance alongside the Caley Bar, which will be retained in its current position.

A second specialist hotel dining room is planned directly adjacent to the new courtyard lounge that will replace the current fine-dining restaurant, The Pompadour.

The investment will also cover a rolling programme of maintenance, which will see essential repair and conservation work undertaken on the exterior of the building, restoring the façade to its former glory.

John Rogers, Hilton operational vice president for the North, added: “The investment in the Caledonian Hilton is reflective of work being undertaken on Hilton hotels throughout the country.

“A significant investment was made in Hilton Hotels in Scotland in 2007 and the work currently being undertaken on the Caledonian Hilton is part of a further £13million investment programme for 2008.

“Hilton takes a long term view on all its hotels; we have robust development plans for Scotland over the next five to 10 years and have just announced plans for a brand new Hilton Garden Inn hotel at Aberdeen Airport.”

The Caledonian Hilton was bought by The Caledonian Operating Company Ltd in August 2007 and Hilton Hotels retains a long term management contract for the 251 bedroom hotel.

The hotel, which first opened its doors in 1903 is a listed building within Edinburgh’s World Heritage Area and as such is an important and historic venue at the heart of Scotland’s capital city.

Hilton Caledonian Hotel Refurbishment – Info from DADA 240108

Background on the Caledonian Hotel – or Caley – is now owned by Hilton.