AN OFFICE block in Stockbridge known as Centrum House could be demolished and turned into a 145-bed hotel under new plans.
A prior application notice (PAN) was submitted and a consultation approved by the council for the plans, which would see a new hotel constructed on the site.
Multiple applications to demolish and convert the block have been submitted to the council previously, but no work has yet commenced.
Planning permission had been approved to turn the block into a mixed-use development with nearly 50 flats, but no developer could be found for the project, and it fell through.
The project to turn the block – which was constructed at 108-114 Dundas Street in the 1980s – into a hotel is being overseen by Rennick Property.
Rennick Property and Evans Dakota Hotels Ltd. has taken over the development of the vacant property after a planning application to build a mixed-use development went unutilised.
The company says that the design of the building will be very similar to what was already arranged in the pervious planning documents, but with a change of use to a hotel, rather than mixed-use and flats.
Andrew Rennick, managing director of Rennick Property, said: “In essence, the design, massing, envelope of what is already consented will not be changing, but more a case of a change of use to hotel. Approximately 145 beds.
“Consultation process is ongoing.”
Previous planning consent outlined a mixed-use development comprising 49 flats, including 12 affordable units, with three commercial units in class one (retail), two (office) and three (café/restaurant) on the ground and lower ground floors.
The proposed building was in an L-shape, built into the corner of Fettes Row and Dundas Street.
In a council report into the site, the building’s design was described: “The architectural style of the proposed building is contemporary with three distinct sections and two stair/lift cores, incorporating modern interpretations of traditional tenemental detailing and ground floor shopfronts.
“The principal elevations to Dundas Street and Fettes Row will be finished in natural blonde coloured ashlar sandstone, with a rusticated lower ground façade on Fettes Row and the rear elevation will be in blonde coloured brick with natural sandstone string courses.”
The building was planned to be set back 1.4m from another recent development at 120 Dundas Street and would follow the established building line on Fettes Row.
There was public outcry when the plans first emerged, with many locals claiming that the development would “dominate” the area.
They were also concerned that construction work would take over Dundas Street- Fettes Row crossroads, with the development sitting exactly opposite the abandoned former RBS site just opposite, which is also being developed.
Despite concerns that the development would adversely affect the historic character of the building, Edinburgh World Heritage asserted that the redevelopment could “add a layer of interest to Edinburgh’s rich architectural legacy”.
A tranche of objection letters, as well as many letters of support, were submitted to the council, but the authority eventually accepted the application after a fraught appeal process and threats of legal action.
This was after another previous application was rejected by the council.
Any work on the site as a hotel is still a long way off, however.
A consultation process will now begin following the PAN and approval from the council.
Following a successful consultation, a full planning application will be submitted.
The developer’s plans and the design of the hotel will be detailed at an exhibition event on 21 January.
