A YORK property developer is continuing its partnership with the Malmaison Hotel du Vin Group after securing the contract to develop the brand’s latest property north of the border.

S Harrison has signed a development agreement with the lifestyle hotel brand to transform a historic building in Edinburgh’s New Town into the second location in the City for the Group’s collection of boutique hotels.

The Grade A listed Buchan House in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh will now benefit from a multi-million pound investment that will create approximately 50 new jobs ahead of the 72-bedroom hotel opening in 2019.

Planning permission was granted for the redevelopment in November 2017 and renovation work on the historic building, that covers 44,000 square feet, will begin during the first half of 2018.

It will be S Harrison’s second development for the Malmaison Hotel du Vin Group, with work due to complete on a luxurious Hotel du Vin in Stratford-upon-Avon. The work has seen two Grade II listed Georgian townhouses transformed into a 46-bedroom hotel, close to the centre of Shakespeare’s hometown.

S Harrison has built a strong and growing presence in Edinburgh following its successful £23 million redevelopment of a site on Leith Walk in 2016. The site was formerly part of Edinburgh’s original Botanic Gardens and was transformed into a 240-bedroom, student accommodation scheme.

S Harrison, headquartered in Bishopthorpe Road, has also recently bought two other sites in the Leith and Haymarket areas of the city and continues to explore other opportunities in the area.

S Harrison’s development director, David Clancy, said: “This is an exciting project and we are very pleased to conclude this deal with Malmaison, who will bring to life such an extremely prominent building.

“Its rich history and splendid architectural features will ultimately form the foundations of a fascinating, memorable and truly unique hotel. Malmaison’s high quality offering and sympathetic styling in other high-profile buildings throughout the UK ensures it will be the perfect fit for Buchan House.”

Guus Bakker, chief executive officer at Malmaison Hotel du Vin, added: “Edinburgh is a much loved global destination for tourists and business alike and Malmaison is a great fit for the City and its visitors.”

The development is the latest in a period of significant growth and investment for the brand. This includes plans to introduce Malmaison to York.