Apple Apartments aparthotel to open in Edinburgh in 2017

The two-storey, former Canongate Venture property will be managed by Apple Apartments, and is set to be converted into double-height serviced apartments, with each unit offering separate sleeping and living areas. There will also be a central ‘galleried’ atrium, over which the rooms will overlook.

There will also be a 24-hour butler service, a customer lounge, and an in-house restaurant from what is promised to be ‘an internationally recognised successful chef’, offering room service as well breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The conversion of the C-listed building is to be carried out by Edinburgh-based Staran Architects, and will include new wood panelling on the walls and specially-designed tweeds, alongside the original glass atrium and original wooden floors. The work will form part of the latest phase of the 7.5 acre New Waverley development in Edinburgh’s Old Town.  

Other hotels in the area include a Premier Inn and Hub by Premier Inn, with an Adagio Aparthotel set to open in the near future.

Apple Apartments was launched in 2013 by Scottish property development businessman Billy Cowe and his brother Peter. It currently operates eight sites, including Marconi House on the Strand in London, Market Mill in Cambridge, Bigg Market in Newcastle, and already has an existing Edinburgh site, on George Street.

Commenting on the new project, Billy Cowe said: “We knew straight away that this historic building would be perfect for our next specialist conversion project. There is a growing demand for high-quality serviced apartments in good city-centre locations [and] the Canongate Venture is set to become a flagship aparthotel across our UK business.”

Clive Wilding, New Waverley’s project director, said: “Apple Apartments is yet another brilliant addition for a location which is now delivering on its promises. This is all contributing to a major buzz about the area, bringing life and excitement back to what was once a neglected part of the city.”