Construction has commenced on a notable new 157-bedroom hotel in Edinburgh’s Haymarket district, following the appointment of Ogilvie Construction as the main contractor by the property developer S Harrison.
The project will transform a 1970s office structure, presently called Osborne House, into a modern hotel. This hotel will feature a bar, restaurant, and lounge for residents on the ground floor, as well as an outdoor terrace. After partially demolishing the current building, two additional wings for accommodation will be constructed at the back, and a new level will be added on top of the existing structure.
In the latter part of the previous year, S Harrison revealed an agreement with the European hotel group MEININGER Hotels to manage the hotel, slated to open in spring 2026. As a significant entity in the hybrid hotel sector, MEININGER Hotels runs 36 hotels in 26 European cities, each boasting a distinctive design and providing versatile, cost-effective contemporary lodging.
In 2018, S Harrison acquired Osborne House and collaborated with the Edinburgh-based Comprehensive Design Architects to develop transformative plans. These plans are notable for their strong environmental features, such as retaining most of the existing building’s structure.
The building is situated just to the west of Edinburgh’s city centre, mere minutes on foot from Haymarket railway station and tram stop, and within comfortable walking distance of Princes Street. S Harrison will retain the completed investment, thereby bolstering the company’s property portfolio.
Andrew Wharton, from S Harrison, said: “Appointing Ogilvie Construction to deliver another landmark project in Edinburgh and seeing work start is obviously a key milestone for this development and follows several years of diligent work to secure both planning permission and the right occupier for the scheme. We’re now looking forward to seeing our plans progress on site over the coming months.”
Grier Edmead, operations director at Ogilvie Construction, added: “We are proud to be working with S Harrison on this project which has energy-efficiency and strong sustainability credentials at the heart of its design. Our team brings unrivalled specialist knowledge of the hotel and leisure sector, and we look forward to successfully delivering a first-class destination in the city, making both S Harrison’s and MEININGER Hotels’ vision for this building a reality.”
S Harrison has significantly invested in Edinburgh recently, and this new hotel endeavor follows the company’s completion of the distinguished boutique hotel for Malmaison in Edinburgh’s New Town. The project transformed the Grade A listed Buchan House, located on the north-west corner of St Andrew Square, into an elegant 72-bedroom hotel, featuring the well-known Chez Mal Bar and Brasserie by Malmaison.
The developer is concurrently developing two PBSA projects: one featuring 64 studio apartments located on East Newington Place, just off Newington Road, and another comprising 76 studios set amidst the historic backdrop of Canongate, situated just behind the Royal Mile.
Furthermore, the planning committee has recently indicated their intention to approve planning consent for a significant new £80m mixed-use development situated in a prime waterfront location in Leith. The project, referred to as Ocean Point 2, is set to include residential and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), as well as commercial, co-working, and amenity spaces.