News

£100 million Investment in Princes Street is one of the largest ever, as Hunter REIM and Ruby Hotels proposals submitted to council

Acting on behalf of Hunter REIM Turley has submitted plans to the City of Edinburgh Council for Ruby Hotels’ first luxury hotel in Scotland. The development is the latest boost for Scotland’s iconic street that is seeing major transformational change after the negative impact of Covid and the huge shift to online retail.

Working closely with 3DReid Architects, we are providing Planning and Engagement, Heritage &Townscape and Economics services for the development which will be the largest single investment in Princes Street since the Johnnie Walker Experience opened in September 2021. The proposal from Hunter REIM and Ruby Hotels has been subject to a significant public engagement last year that included two major consultation events and is the latest major department store vacancy to be subject to redevelopment on Princes Street. The hotel is expected to open in 2026 (subject to planning).

The proposed hotel will enjoy stunning views across Princes Street Gardens, the Ross Theatre and to Edinburgh Castle and will adapt and add to the buildings that were previously home to Zara, Next and Russell and Bromley. It is hoped that the building work can begin next year (subject to planning) and open in 2026.

Speaking about the proposals Julian Mors, Group Director of Ruby Hotels said:

"Edinburgh is one of the most vibrant tourism destinations in Europe and Ruby Hotels looks forward to creating a must visit destination for residents and visitors in the heart of the city. We’re delighted to be able to bring the Ruby brand of affordable luxury to Scotland’s capital."

The development has been progressed by one of the UK’s leading independent property management companies, Hunter REIM. Speaking on its behalf Andrew Moffat, Managing Director of Hunter REIM said:

"This is the biggest investment in Princes Street since the fantastic Johnnie Walker Experience. We’ve been delighted at the support and enthusiasm we’ve seen to transform Princes Street, which like many shopping destinations, has suffered from a changing retail landscape as well as the impact of the global pandemic. We’re confident our proposals will help Princes Street turn a corner and help restore the vibrancy of Edinburgh’s most famous of streets.”

The proposals are being supported by Essential Edinburgh which runs the city’s successful Business Improvement District. Speaking on its behalf Chief Executive Roddy smith said:

“I warmly welcome these proposals which will be a welcome boost to Princes Street and Edinburgh. We’ve worked in close partnership with the City Council to tackle the impact that the shift to online retail has had on Princes Street and the city centre. These proposals are the latest in a wave of new development in the city centre, which has bounced back quicker than any other city centre in the UK outside London. Whilst there’s no room for complacency, it’s delivering investment like this that will make Princes Street even stronger and more vibrant.”

A planning application has been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council. It is anticipated that this will be determined in the late summer or early autumn.

5 April 2023