Hoskins will transform one of Edinburgh’s most important landmarks into luxury Rosewood Hotel
Hoskins Architects will design a new Rosewood hotel at Edinburgh's former Royal High School, a historic landmark building on Calton Hill in the centre of the Scottish capital that has stood vacant for almost 50 years.
The neoclassical, listed building was originally designed by architect Thomas Hamilton and completed in 1829. The plan to invest more than £75m ($115m, €102m) to restore and convert the property is led by Duddingston House Properties and Urbanist Hotels.
Gareth Hoskins, the architect for the project, said the new designs respond to comments made by heritage organisations and the public.
“The design focuses around an informed restoration of the central Hamilton-designed building, repairing its decaying fabric and maintaining the strong sculptural presence of its frontage without intervention,” said Hoskins.
The existing Greek revival building will house the public areas of the hotel, allowing its spaces to be fully accessible to the public for the first time in the building's history. The hotel’s bedrooms will be set away from the original building in two newly constructed wings.
“Their organic shape, with landed terraces and undulating copper facade, inspired by the layered volcanic landscape of both Calton Hill and nearby Salisbury Crags, allow the new wings to blend with the surrounding hill,” said Hoskins. “The contrast of the form and colour of the new elements, together with the considered approach to the landscaping of not just the site, but the streetscape around the former high school, allow this hugely important building to retain and reinforce its prominence as a key Edinburgh landmark.”
The 147-bedroom hotel will include a Sense spa, fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, three restaurants and bars, and a 3,200sq ft (297sq m) ballroom.
Rosewood is experienced in restoring and transforming historic buildings; it is overseeing the restoration of the iconic Hotel de Crillon in Paris, and also recently announced it will transform a landmark Brazilian hospital into a hotel and spa.
“The former Royal High School is one of Edinburgh’s most important landmarks, and we will be drawing on our experience with historic properties such as The Carlyle, Rosewood Castiglion de Bosco and Hotel de Crillon, to ensure the heritage and history of this building is preserved and celebrated,” said Radha Arora, president of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.
Independent research from Oxford Economics has estimated that the hotel could contribute £31.5m ($48m, €42.3m)to Edinburgh’s GDP and £36.7m ($56m, €50m) to Scotland’s economy on an annual basis.
Hoskins was also responsible for the redevelopment of the National Museum of Scotland, and will be designing the extension for the National Galleries of Scotland.






MVRDV reveal ambitious plans to create Marble Arch visitor attraction for London

Coventry's former IKEA building slated to become arts and cultural centre of international importance

World's first entirely wooden stadium approved for use by EFL

Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter and ASP Architecture create hidden nature retreat inspired by hygge and Nordic hospitality

Zaha Hadid’s Opus building houses spa designed by The Wellness

Meow Wolf creates mind-blowing Las Vegas attraction – Omega Mart

BRC selected to design new World Food Center – will explore sustainability and global food supply

Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens with luxury spa at Japanese alpine ski resort

Scott Brownrigg-designed Museum of Military Medicine in Cardiff given planning approval

Work starts on US$898m e-sports arena in Shanghai

Gyms added to the mix for new super-luxe retail roll-out

OMA designs Miami Beach's ReefLine – a seven mile-long underwater sculpture park

Ole Scheeren and Shigeru Ban team up to design art and cultural destination in Hangzhou

FIFA files criminal complaint over funding of €459m world football museum

ReardonSmith leads design of Heya – a hotel room concept offering personalisation for each guest

Disney reveals first visuals of ambitious Star Wars attraction – including designs for hotel 'pods'

Flaxmill Maltings – the world's first cast-iron framed building – is to be redeveloped as a visitor attraction by Mather & Co

LVMH announces Bulgari Hotel for Miami Beach, with design by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel

Technogym opens retail store in Los Angeles

AZPML and UKST win competition to design Korean Museum of Urbanism and Architecture

Delos partners with TPP Capital to advance access to health and wellbeing solutions in urban communities

The Well creates integrated wellness retreat in New England countryside for Auberge Resorts

Architects 10 Design reveal plans for ambitious Edinburgh city centre plans

Perth's Boola Bardip museum opens in new AU$400m building designed by Hassell and OMA

UK Government's £1bn scheme to decarbonise is 'a huge opportunity' for the leisure industries

Museum devoted to the history of the US Army opens its doors

Architrave designs Banyan Tree Krabi with rainforest-themed spa

Anantara to debut in Seychelles following rebrand of luxury Bill Bensley-designed resort

World’s first energy-positive hotel and spa to be completed with interiors by Space Copenhagen
