NEW YORK—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., will debut the W Hotels brand in Scotland with W Edinburgh. Opening in 2021, the hotel will be part of TH Real Estate’s Edinburgh St. James scheme, which is set to be complete in 2020. Designed by architecture and interior design practice Jestico + Whiles, in conjunction with Allan Murray Architects, the 12-story building will feature a facade crafted from a winding steel ‘ribbon.’ W Edinburgh will form the centerpiece of the 1.7-million-sq.-ft. development, which will incorporate a blend of retail, entertainment, leisure and residential apartments.
“As an established business hub with a thriving global tourism industry, we are confident there will be a huge appetite for our innovative lifestyle brand in the Scottish capital,” said Michael Wale, president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “W Edinburgh’s location at the pulsing heart of the new Edinburgh St James development, combined with its innovative design, contemporary interiors and the W brand’s signature programing, will create the perfect setting for the second W hotel in the United Kingdom.”
The hotel has 214 guestrooms, including 20 suites and one Extreme Wow Suite, which is the W brand’s interpretation of the presidential suite. The rooftop will feature a destination bar and outdoor terrace, providing 360-degree views of the skyline. Other areas will include W Lounge, the W brand’s spin on the hotel lobby; a signature restaurant; FIT, a workout facility; and an AWAY Spa offering the W Hotels brand’s health and lifestyle experiences. W Edinburgh will provide 2,450 sq. ft. of modern event space.
Stephen Wicks, director of shopping centers at TH Real Estate, said, “From the outset, our intention has been to secure a truly world class hotel operator for Edinburgh St. James, complementing the rest of the development and forming an integral part of the scheme’s vibrant offer. We are delighted to have finalized this deal with Starwood Hotels and Resorts and to be welcoming such an iconic and established brand as W Hotels to Scotland for the very first time.”
The Edinburgh St. James development will see the shopping center currently on-site replaced with 850,000 sq. ft. of retail space, a multi-screen cinema and up to 250 new homes, as well as W Edinburgh.
The addition of W Edinburgh to Starwood’s U.K. portfolio complements the W London-Leicester Square, which opened in 2011, according to the brand.
“The fact that W continues to drive growth across the EAME region is testament to the exceptional appeal of the brand to owners and developers. This standout location in the heart of Edinburgh will be a fantastic addition to the W portfolio,” said Karl Bieberach, VP, development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe.