Planning consent looks set to be granted for a 239-bed, 4-star hotel at 1–5 Baxter's Place (Ref. 12/04064/FUL; Breaking news, 28.11.12).
Developer Chris Stewart Group is in talks with a potential occupier for the site, whom Spurtle believes to be Marriott Hotels.
Chris Stewart, the company's CEO, commented 'Edinburgh has a need for further quality hotel accommodation and the site at Baxter’s Place offers an ideal central location.
'We can now press ahead with the work scheduled to renovate this prime site and attract further investment into the capital.
'The Group is looking forward to restoring this iconic terrace back to its former glory.'
Whilst the arrival in Broughton of yet another hotel may not exactly set the heather alight, it will be a positive reinjection of life into what was a depreciating architectural asset. Neighbours' concerns about potential noise to the rear, ugly skylines and disrupted views have largely been met, and the scheme's associated facilities will draw in custom from the street and surrounds rather than restricting them to the exclusive use of patrons.
Last year, the New Town and Broughton Community Council reacted positively to pre-application plans for the site, welcoming the project (among other reasons) as an important contributor to the upgrading of Greenside's 'derelict backlands'.
However, Punch Partnerships (PTL) Ltd, acting on behalf of nightclub CC Blooms, objected on the grounds of reduced car parking for their clients, a potential reduction in road safety, light and visual amenity, and (bizarrely, to Spurtle's mind) insufficient noise insulation. Council Planning officials did not agree, as can be seen in the Report attached as a pdf below.
CSG prides itself, in its own words, on 'complex, transformational city-centre developments'. Between 2006 and 2008 it converted former Council offices into the Apex and Travelodge hotels on Waterloo Place. Another current project involves the creation of 6 luxury flats on Hamilton Place in Stockbridge, and the conversion of a former theatre there into restaurant or retail use.