An iconic St Andrews hotel passed a significant milestone in its restoration journey when a vital missing part of its original Victorian grandeur was put back in place on Wednesday.
The Hamilton Grand, which overlooks the famous Old Course in St Andrews, is the second most photographed building in the world of golf after the Royal and Ancient (R&A) headquarters in the Fife town. It was once again at the centre of attention as the historic structure was crowned with a brand new dome.
The work is just the latest part of the multi-million redevelopment of what was Hamilton Hall by the Kohler Company, the owners of the luxury Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa who are in the process of transforming the former St Andrews University residence.
While the original dome was replaced with a fibreglass replica after a fire in 1976, the new dome which has been made in Scotland is a lead-clad timber frame weighing three-and-a-half tonnes and is designed to be as true as possible to the original structure.
Launched in 1895 as The Grand Hotel, it was the height of luxury the first building in Scotland to have a pneumatic elevator running between floors as well as hot and cold running water in every bathroom.
The Second World War saw the hotel transformed into training headquarters for the Royal Air Force and it was never to host high society again, with St Andrews University acquiring the building shortly after the war and opening it as a halls of residence under the name Hamilton Hall serving the student body for around 56 years.
Now though the building renamed the Hamilton Grand is being transformed into a collection of 26 homes of distinction: two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments together with a private residents’ lounge and function suite as well as a restaurant and bar that aims to become a firm favourite of those visiting the golf world’s mecca.
”Our goal is to restore Hamilton Grand and create a dwelling that will make the people of St Andrews proud,” said Debbie Taylor, president of Kohler’s hospitality and real estate group. ”We have been honoured to work with community members throughout this process.
”Hamilton Grand is a unique real estate opportunity for those who want to own a home in the birthplace of golf and a premier destination that is rich in history the holy grail of golf. We are looking forward to restoring the building using our restoration expertise, and returning a piece of Scottish history to its landmark status.”
Building owner Herb Kohler is understood to have paid around £11.5m for the hall in 2009, guaranteeing some future financial stability for the world famous property overlooking the 18th green and fairway of the Old Course.