Work is expected to start in October on designs from New York-based Grzywinski + Pons in conjunction with Michael Laird Architects for a £35m (US$53m, €47m) boutique hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Hotel developer Union Hanover Securities has secured Minded to Grant planning permission from City of Edinburgh Council and will now push ahead with bringing the 180-room hotel project on Freer Street to fruition. The developer sees Edinburgh as a key strategic location for hospitality – second only to London, where it is currently working with Grzywinski + Pons on another boutique hotel in Stratford City, the site of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Designs for the hotel see champagne cladding and grey brick build defined by faceted balcony spaces along its southern side to maximise light. An added flourish comes in the form of a fine stainless steel mesh which is virtually invisible to guests but which creates a distinctive landmark in the form of a glistening façade for onlookers.

In addition to its selection of suites – some of which boast views over Edinburgh Castle – the hotel will feature 24 hour reception/concierge, lounge and restaurant facilities, gym and other guest amenities. With considerable frontage on the canal, it will also offer al fresco dining.

“We are very excited that we now have permission to begin work on delivering this project that we were so pleased to have the opportunity to design in a setting with as rich of an architectural history as Edinburgh,” said architect Matthew Grzywinski.

“We are confident that our vision will both respect and enhance the built fabric of this wonderful city.”

At the same recent planning meeting, City of Edinburgh Council also granted outline planning consent for a mixed-use masterplan containing residential, leisure and office uses in which the Urban Villa will sit and will be part of a larger regeneration of the Fountainbridge district. The £120m (US$182m, €162m) scheme is being led by Amco Developments, with Michael Laird Architects overseeing design.