Projects / Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh

Client

Gleneagles (part of Ennismore)

Project description

Gleneagles Townhouse is the result of a five year project to convert the former Bank of Scotland headquarters at 37-39 St Andrews Square into a hotel and private members club as part of an expansion of the Gleneagles Hotel brand. 3DReid had already established a strong relationship with the Client providing architectural services for the ongoing renovation of the Perthshire Hotel.

As Architect and Lead Consultant, 3DReid worked closely with the Client to not only preserve and restore these historic buildings but to secure a viable commercial offer which would ensure the long term success of the property and contribute positively to the area and to the city as a whole.

Through close consultation with Edinburgh City Council and in conjunction with Turley planning consultants and Simpson and Brown heritage architects, we secured Planning and Listed Building consents for a change of use. This included the removal of a large but low level 1960s extension to accommodate a new full height extension to the rear of the original mansion building and the removal of the pitched roof and attic rooms at Number 38-39 to form the rooftop bar.

Overall, 3DReid was able to accommodate 33 generous guest bedrooms, an all-day restaurant with glazed courtyard, a member’s lounge, co-working spaces, a rooftop bar with terrace and a basement gym and wellness suite. All of these spaces were critical to the Client’s aspirations for the brand with minimal interference to the most highly significant historic features of the original building.

Externally the materials of the new build elements included Catcastle Buff sandstone, reclaimed West Highland slate from the removal of the original pitched roof and a natural copper cladding panel which takes on a warm bronze patina allowing it to blend in with the weathered sandstone of the existing banking hall building. Meanwhile the original building fabric was completely overhauled to repair the original stone façades and statues, the lead and slate roofs were completely stripped and reinstated with upgrades to the glazed rooflights including the etched glass dome and all the repair and replacement of the original single glazed timber sash and case windows.

Internally, 3DReid worked with Will Rudd Engineers to reconfigure the vertical circulation and knit together two very different listed buildings with varying floor levels. Through careful coordination we were able to form new openings and dismantle large portions of the building to accommodate the new extensions without undue loss of the original building fabric. The integration of entirely new M&E services, including a fire suppression system throughout the building (other than the main Banking Hall) had to be thoroughly workshopped closely with the Atelier Ten particularly when converting the spaces within the heavily reinforced vaults in the basement to provide changing facilities for the spa.

Throughout, the interior design and concepts for the front of house areas were provided by the Client’s in-house Interior Designers at Ennismore Design Studio. The spaces are traditional in consideration of the period of the buildings but feature all of the modern technology guests expect. 3DReid coordinated with the Interior Designers to ensure the modern interventions were sympathetic and considerately integrated and maintain an authentic sense of proportion and grandeur throughout.

Status

Opened 6 June 2022

Awards

AHEAD Awards Europe 2022, Hotel Conversion (Finalist)
GIA Awards 2022, Commercial (Winner)
Refurbishment Architect of the Year 2022 (Finalist)

Photography

© Gleneagles Townhouse 2022