Burgh architect to redesign historic landmark

Sharon Thompson • Published 11 Feb 2010 11:03

HELENSBURGH architect Gareth Hoskins has beaten off stiff competition to land a £35 million redevelopment project of an Edinburgh landmark.

More than 50 companies vied for the deal for the £35 redevelopment project of Edinburgh's former Edinburgh's Royal High School but in the end Burgh man Gareth's company was successful.

The A-listed building in the capital was considered as a venue for the Scottish Parliament, before it was decided that Holyrood should be built.

Now the 19th century creation by architect Thomas Hamilton looks set to be transformed into an arts hotel with restaurant, spa, cafe and public gallery spaces in a multi-million pound redesign.

It was revealed on the company's website last Wednesday (February 3) that they, along with client Duddingston House Properties, had won over a significant number of rivals also competing for the work.

Once completed, it will bring the building situated on Calton Hill back into public use for the first time in more than three decades.

Gareth - who has been named as a Helensburgh Hero - was recognised in the New Year's Honours List where he was awarded an OBE for his services to architecture.

His successful design proposals for the school - which at one stage was set to hold the debating chamber for the Scottish Assembly after an independence referendum in the 70s, but later rejected - came after failed attempts from others bidding to turn it into a national photography centre, which were abandoned.

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 11 Feb 10

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