The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh hotel sold for record sum
Its new owner is Twenty14, the hospitality investment arm of Abu Dhabi-based retail giant Lulu Group.
Hilton Worldwide has operated the hotel since 2000 and it is home to Chris and Jeff Galvin’s first two Scottish restaurants – The Pompadour by Galvin and Galvin Brasserie de Luxe.
The Galvins opened their sites at the property when it relaunched under the luxury Waldorf Astoria brand in 2012 following a £24m refurbishment.
JLL and HVS Hodges Ward Elliott jointly advised on the deal, which is believed to be the largest hotel sale in Scotland since Ennismore bought Gleneagles in 2015.
“The hotel has long been seen as a jewel in the crown of the UK hotel market,” says Will Duffey, co-head of European transactions at JLL’s hotels and hospitality group.
“Our client’s recent refurbishment programme repositioned the hotel to its former glory when it reopened as the first Waldorf Astoria in the UK in 2012.
“We are delighted to have advised on this irreplaceable trophy hotel overlooking Edinburgh Castle to an investor who will preserve and protect this most important of assets for generations to come”.
The 254-room hotel was built in 1903 and was originally constructed by the Caledonian Railway Company as part of Edinburgh Princes Street Railway station.
