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The City of Edinburgh Council has approved plans to convert Albany House, a 1980s office building on Albany Street, into a 102-room hotel operated under Whitbread’s hub by Premier Inn brand.
Artisan Real Estate will redevelop the five-storey sandstone property, located at the corner of Albany Street and Broughton Street, with completion expected in summer 2027. Current occupiers are due to relocate to new premises in 2026.
The proposals retain most of the building’s external structure but replace the top-floor façade to meet updated building standards.
The project will replace the existing heating system with air-source heat pump technology.
Whitbread operates 14 Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels within the council area.
Artisan’s recent activity includes hotel developments at the New Waverley site in Edinburgh’s Old Town and the conversion of Glasgow’s former Custom House.
The Albany House consent follows approval for the redevelopment of the former Caledonian Brewery and separate plans to regenerate a vacant office building on Ferry Road.
David Westwater, Artisan’s managing director for Scotland, said: “This exciting hotel development will bring continued interest and investment to a vibrant corner of Edinburgh’s eastern city centre.” He said the building was well suited to conversion because of its natural daylight and established entrance layout.
He added: “Albany House is the latest in a succession of high-profile planning proposals delivered by Artisan in Edinburgh’s city centre during the last 12 months and reinforces our stated commitment to bring substantial investment coupled with high quality development to the heart of Scotland’s capital.”
Jill Anderson, acquisitions manager at Whitbread, concluded: “Albany House is an excellent location for a hub by Premier Inn hotel, and I am very pleased to be working with Artisan to expand our footprint in the city in a sustainable way through the proposed conversion of the 1980s office building.
“Our hub by Premier Inn hotels are designed to appeal to budget, short-stay travellers, looking to stay in the most interesting and connected city centre locations. It offers all the comfort, consistency, and reliability of Premier Inn, but with a smaller bedroom and the format allows us to offer great value rooms in the most vibrant places.”
