Plans to convert a well-known building beside the Old Course at St Andrews into luxury flats have scored a hole in one with council planners.
Councillors are due to consider the £35 million proposals for Hamilton Hall tomorrow.
Planning officials are suggesting a green light for the refurbishment, which would see the creation of 26 luxury apartments and a bar and restaurant.
Hamilton Hall is owned by US businessman Herb Kohler’s company, The Old Course Ltd, which also has the nearby Old Course Hotel and the Duke’s Course.
The Hamilton Grand, as the upmarket accommodation would be known, would effectively operate as an extension to the hotel.
In a report to go before Fife Council’s north-east Fife area committee, the plans are recommended for approval, subject to agreement by Historic Scotland.
Planner Alistair Hamilton says, “The proposal offers an opportunity to ensure a long-term solution for this iconic building which is economically viable and also secures a use which is tied to an existing local business.”
Kohler, who bought the imposing red sandstone building that provides the backdrop to the 18th green for £11.5 million a year ago, unveiled his plans to transform the former student residence into the Hamilton Grand in March.
It is intended to restore the dome of the building, which was destroyed by a fire in the 1970s and replaced with a plastic dome. A roof extension is also proposed, along with an external terrace and the east wing demolished and rebuilt.
Important historic details are to be retained and restored, including the imposing timber staircase, which has already been reinstalled, stained glass windows, which are being restored off site, and plasterwork.
The apartments would be sold on long-term leases but be let out for holiday accommodation when not in use by their owners by the Old Course Hotel.
The proposed work, which is expected to take 18 months, is considered by planners to be an appropriate solution to the restoration and reuse of the building, originally constructed as the Grand Hotel.
The 115-year-old building was left to fall into a state of disrepair after plans by its previous owner David Wasserman to create luxury flats failed.
Ahead of tomorrow’s meeting the neighbouring Scores Hotel, which also has plans for refurbishment, raised concerns that proposed planning conditions failed to rule out the possibility of any apartment being used for a substantial part of the year by one individual.
It suggested that a time limit should be imposed on occupancy and called for a construction method statement to be secured, addressing issues such as dust suppression, as raised by itself and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.