Proposals have been brought forward to convert two Edinburgh New Town offices into an apart-hotel, helping preserve an historic B-listed building.
The two offices on Forth Street are currently occupied by Radio Forth, who use the buildings to broadcast live radio and as a newsroom, among other uses.
The City of Edinburgh Council are yet to grant permission for the plans that would see a relocation for the popular radio broadcaster.
READ MORE: Edinburgh council receive plans from Taylor Wimpey to build over 100 family homes
The historic plans for Forth House would see the modern Playfair House fronting Broughton Street Lane stripped back to its superstructure and a new facade of natural stone and precast concrete built to align with adjacent buildings, reinstating the mews street frontage.
Bothwall Group and Supercity Aparthotels have instructed ISA to realise this goal with a twin-track approach that would help preserve the historic character of the B-listed building.
Describing the plans, ISA wrote: "When the existing facade is stripped back to the superstructure a series of bays in between existing columns develops a vertical emphasis, responding to the New Town location.
"These narrower plot widths break up the horizontality of the existing building."
"A recessed, collonaded entrance will improve the relationship of the building with the street and emphasise the base of the building.
"The top storey is proposed as a predominantly glazed element again partially recessed to break up the roofline profile and to reduce the visual impact. This will comprise of transparent and opaque glazed panels."
The conversion of Forth House to a hotel will require the removal and alteration of interior walls with minimal works to the principal facade.
Plans have also been proposed to provide a link between Forth House and Playfair House, adding both a staircase and lift to both buildings to accommodate the layout of rooms.
Although minimal work is planned for the principal Forth House, it would provide a problem for the current owners of the building, Radio Forth, who would have to relocate their broadcasting area.
Substantial refurbishment is, however, planned for the inside of Forth House, with the proposed entrance to the hotel located on Broughton Street Lane.
