A UNIQUE hotel chain which prides itself on using Irish writer Oscar Wilde as its inspiration has announced the second of its premium brand properties.
The Wilde Aparthotels Edinburgh by Staycity venue is expected to open in early 2019.
It follows the launch of the brand earlier this year with the announcement of its first property, which is due to open on London’s Strand by the end of the year.
The Scottish offering will be located on Edinburgh’s historic King’s Stable Road in the heart of the city centre.
At its centrepiece, the Wilde Aparthotels Edinburgh will feature an arts gallery and exhibition space, the Dublin-based company confirmed this month.
The exhibition space will be open to the public and will aim to promote the work of local artists.
Originally used as a medieval tiltyard for jousting tournaments in honour of James IV, the King’s Stables Road later became home to the royal horses.
Now owned by the City of Edinburgh Council, the site of the new hotel was previously used as offices, storage premises and workshops, but has been vacant since 2009.
Once open as the Wilde Aparthotels Edinburgh it will offer apartments as well as a lounge, café and a gym.
Barry Hickey, group development director of Staycity Aparthotels, said: “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us.
“With the brand’s strong link to cultural icon Oscar Wilde we hope the arts facility elements of the scheme will become a destination in its own right, benefitting local businesses and helping King’s Stables Road become a new arts centre for the city.”
The Dublin-based company was founded by Irishman Tom Walsh and his brother Ger who in 2004 started the business with a single apartment in Dublin’s Temple Bar – a former recording studio used by the likes of U2.
With the London Wilde Aparthotels due to open this year, followed by the Edinburgh property in 2019, there are further branches planned across Europe – including hotels in Manchester and Berlin.
