600 year old Edinburgh townhouse re-opens its doors
Old Town Chambers offers luxury accommodation
One of Edinburgh’s oldest townhouses, once home to wealthy city merchants some six hundred years ago before falling into a state of disrepair in the 19th century, has reopened its doors this week offering luxury accommodation. At £850 per night you would think these self catering apartments must be something special, and they are.
The development includes a two bedroom apartment which pre-dates 1490 but is also part of the latest contemporary offering from the Old Town Chambers serviced apartments, part of the Chris Stewart Group, recently awarded a five-star rating from VisitScotland.
Blending state-of the-art facilities with centuries old architectural features, such as solid stone walls, original fireplaces and painted wall panels and beams, contrasting against double smoked French oak wooden flooring and Italian tiling makes it one of the most exclusive and historic places to stay in Scotland. There is a range of sizes from 1 bedroom apartments to the penthouse which has three bedrooms and extends to 1600 square feet.
The 12 month restoration project has been part of the £45 million redevelopment by the Chris Stewart Group to open up some of the Old Town’s hidden closes into a thriving leisure and business destination, comprising office accommodation, serviced apartments, restaurants and bars all within a stone’s throw of the High Street. The apartments have the most wonderful views over Princes Street Gardens to Fife beyond.
Julie Grieve, CEO of the Old Town Chambers, said:- “The council had sold off this area in 2006 and the developer then struggled with it. Chris Stewart Group bought it in 2009, developed Motel One and sold that on.”
The developer then secured Italian restaurant Zizzi’s last year on a 25 year lease to take up the main restaurant location in the development. There are two other restaurant spaces, 31 serviced apartments, 3 offices and more restaurant space and more apartments to be developed soon.
Grieve continued:-“Interior designer Karen Brown has worked hard to give it a feel of what it would have been like in previous centuries while offering the luxury that international travellers want.”
Booking enquiries can be made through the company’s website.
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