Join the ‘in’ crowd...
Georgian flat in city’s hip heart is perfect for parties, says Paul Drury
IF this plush apartment were in Amsterdam, Berlin or San Francisco, it could face being declared an endangered species. Cities worldwide are grappling with the social and economic consequences of the explosion of Airbnb, where tourists rent a home rather than a hotel room for the night.
Barcelona has begun licensing premises used for short-term let. The catch is, the Catalans are not issuing any new licences.
This handsome, Georgian, two-bedroom flat in Edinburgh’s Queen Street would prove an instant hit with visitors.
The property could easily earn £150 to £200 per night at most times of the year – and possibly even £300 at the height of the capital’s tourism season in August.
Go out of the front door and you practically find yourself on the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle.
The area is replete with cool piano bars and brasseries, is within walking distance of Harvey Nicks and boasts a subterranean party pad foreign visitors would die for. The Airbnb attraction has not so far seduced owner Nick Robinson, who knows a thing or two about keeping customers satisfied. He runs a cocktail bar a street away from his home, which can be an advantage as well as a disadvantage.
Mr Robinson said: ‘You could be having a few drinks with friends and, later on, someone says, “Let’s go back to yours”.’
You can see why partygoers would want to hang out at his place. The car park at the rear has been cleverly excavated to provide an underground patio garden.
Mr Robinson said: ‘It doesn’t feel like you are in the city centre when you are out the back at night with a glass of wine.
‘At 11 or 12, you can still hear the sounds coming from a local piano bar, set at just the right volume.’
The garden is accessed via sliding doors from the open-plan living area, the hub of the house.
The south-facing glazing allows the generous sitting and dining area to be flooded with natural light. The smart kitchen features a large island/breakfast bar, ample storage and high-quality fixtures and fittings.
Partygoers will also appreciate the gloriously lit wine cellar, lined with wooden racks and glass shelves which show off the liquid treasure to its best.
There are two well-proportioned bedrooms, one with an en suite shower and dressing room and the other with an en suite bathroom. While Mr Robinson has not chosen to let the home out, the apartment may be considered suitable for short-term lets by its future owner.
There is open viewing of the apartment on Sunday, between 2pm and 4pm. With a party place like this, you almost feel you should take a bottle. Offers over £600,000 to Knight Frank. Call 0131 222 9600 or email Edward.douglas-home@knightfrank.com.