Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian, showing grand arch former entrance to station

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian, opened in Edinburgh in December 1903, is a notable example of the British tradition of Grand Railway Hotels.[1] It stands at the west end of Princes Street, and is a category A listed building.[2]

Construction

View of preserved station gates from Rutland Street

The Caledonian Hotel, constructed from 1899 to 1903 as part of Edinburgh Princes Street railway station, was conceived as a rival to the North British Hotel which opened at the other end of Princes Street in 1902.[1] The Caledonian Hotel was built on top of the stone built, V-shaped station building which had been recently built as a replacement for the previous wood built station which was damaged in a fire in June 1890.[1] The architects of the hotel were John More Dick Peddie and George Washington Browne.[2]

When first built, the hotel had 205 rooms with decor in the style of Louis XV.[1] The grand arches at the front of the hotel provided access also to the train station below.[1] The red sandstone facade has been a city landmark throughout the hotel's history.[3]

In 1965, Princes Street Station was closed and it was demolished by 1970. This provided room for expansion for the hotel and the cast iron gates at the entrance to a car park in Rutland Street are the only remainder of the station outwith the hotel.[1] The original station clock, pre-dating the fire of 1890, has been preserved in the hotel.[1]

Refurbishment

The Caledonian was purchased by the Hilton Hotel chain in 2000.[1] A £24 million (UK Pounds) refurbishment in 2011 put the hotel within the luxury flagship Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand.[1] By the time of the refurbishment the hotel had 241 rooms.[4] The refurbishment plans include the addition and improvement of public spaces, rooms, spa and restaurant.[4] The original station concourse and ticket office were roofed over to provide a bar and lounge area, named the Peacock Alley, and incorporates the station clock.[3]

The hotel's restaurant is named The Pompadour.[3] It provides French-influenced dishes and is overseen by double Michelin star chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin.[3]

The bar, known as the Caley Bar is venue 50 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Views of the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian
view of the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian
View of hotel from castle showing facade. 
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian. 
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian from street level. 
View from the hotel in 1938. 

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 McLean, David (7 October 2013). "Lost Edinburgh: Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian". The Scotsman. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 "4 Lothian Road, The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Butler, Sophie. "Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian, Edinburgh: review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Edinburgh set for Scotland's first Waldorf Astoria". BBC News. BBC. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2014.

Coordinates: 55°57′00″N 3°12′26″W / 55.9500°N 3.2073°W / 55.9500; -3.2073

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