Moves to convert a city centre office block into a hotel have found favour with Edinburgh’s planners.

Dating from the 1980s Albany House stands on the edge of the New Town and is to be converted into a 102-bed Hub by Premier Inn hotel by Artisan Real Estate and AMA Studio.

Occupying a prominent junction between Albany Street and Broughton Street the development is well placed to capitalise on the city’s tourism sector, catering to the budget end of the market by offering small rooms with minimal amenities.

Artisan’s managing director for Scotland, David Westwater, said: “We are pleased to be once again working with Whitbread to create a modern and contemporary hotel interior providing the high levels of insulation and energy technology, delivering both a sustainable and attractive addition to Edinburgh’s successful hospitality sector. The existing sandstone building is well-suited to hotel development with high levels of natural daylight and an established entrance area.”

The existing structure will be retained for the change in use, save for the top floor facade which will be switched for a contemporary cladding material compliant with modern building standards. The existing fossil fuel powered heating system will be replaced by an air sourced heat pump.