Plans submitted for short term let apartments in Edinburgh’s Broughton Market
Northumberland Street Properties (North) has submitted plans for the conversion and extension of No. 1 Broughton Market, from office use to short term let accommodation.
The proposal by 3DReid seeks to build on the idiosyncrasies of the existing structure and industrial heritage of the immediate area in providing distinct, contemporary additions to the current property.
Vertical circulation limitations within the existing building are resolved through the formation of a new staircase, which reconciles the currently truncated roof form through the creation of a new gable end which ‘completes’ the historic warehouse form.
Residual land to the eastern end of the plot is repurposed for building servicing requirements, including the introduction of air source heat pumps, to contribute towards the overarching sustainability strategy, which significantly enhances the existing building beyond its current poor environmental performance.
The proposal comprises seven new one- and two-bed apartments, inclusive of a new penthouse.
Grant Rawlinson of North commented: “No.1 Broughton Market will become the fourth property in our portfolio of very high quality short let accommodation, building on an existing reputation for innovative design in top-end, purpose-built and professionally managed accommodation within the City of Edinburgh.”
The group operates three other city centre properties on the Canongate, Queen St and Castle St consisting of 35 apartments of which the majority are one bed or studio units. The portfolio is designed, priced and marketed as an alternative to 4 or 5 star hotel accommodation, for those who prefer more space, privacy or who wish to stay for longer periods. Types of guests generally include business travellers and discerning tourist visitors.
Altido, based close to the property, provide property and letting management service for short lets across Europe and have hosted 1.2m guests over 885,000 stays.
This includes Full Guest vetting, verifying each guest’s identity, monitoring in full who’s going in and out. Strict House Rules ensure, no parties, smoking, loud music, quiet hours between 9pm and 8am and an agreement that if there are any complaints, guests are to vacate the property when required to do so.
The Edinburgh team provide 24-hour support services, on-line booking, arrival and departure services, maintenance cleaning and servicing for all of our properties.
As owners of the properties, North has day-to-day oversight of all aspects of the management platform along with control features such as noise monitors and over-occupancy monitoring. This assists the management team to closely monitor the use of the properties and prevent any anti-social behaviour.
The group understands that there is a belief that this type of accommodation can lead to out of hours disturbance to local residents through late night and early morning arrivals and departures. Analysis of the actual arrival and departure times for visitors at a typical property over a period of 12 months shows that 95% of all arrival and departure events take place within normal working hours.
Since North’s other properties have been operational, no instances of anti-social behaviour have been recorded and no complaints have been made to or registered by the City of Edinburgh Environmental teams in respect of any of the group’s properties.
The proposed flats include six one-bed flats and one two-bed flat. Due to their location, size and proposed price bracket, the Group expects a continuation of the appropriate behaviour of their guests. The portfolio currently either directly or indirectly provides employment for approximately 20 staff.
Chris Dobson, director at 3DReid, said: “Whilst situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, the Broughton Market area continues to hold onto its distinct charm, long established before its amalgamation within a Georgian urban block. It’s been a real pleasure to be afforded the opportunity to consider a contemporary intervention to this location, one which seeks to draw upon its rich industrial heritage and idiosyncrasies, whilst further diversifying the use and animation of the area.”