Edinburgh captivates with its rich diversity and enduring mystique. It’s a city brimming with unique stories that offer a deeper insight into its very essence. Every facet of life here is so vividly expressed, sparking an incredible interest in its history. More on this fascinating topic can be found at edinburgh1.one.
Take business, for instance. Edinburgh has a long and storied relationship with this complex endeavour, and it’s remarkably multifaceted.
The Genesis of a Grand Venture: Business in Edinburgh
From the city’s earliest days, its wealthy inhabitants were keen to contribute to local development. They spearheaded countless beneficial and intriguing projects that significantly improved daily life for residents – notably, the introduction of plumbing and a multitude of factories. In essence, it’s fair to say that these pioneering entrepreneurial efforts laid the groundwork for a distinct field: Edinburgh’s business landscape.
The Amazing History of Edinburgh’s Hotels
Among the countless shops, restaurants, and cafes (all integral to the city’s commercial fabric), hotels truly stand out.
Firstly, this is due to Edinburgh’s status as a major tourist destination. The city welcomes thousands of visitors annually, ensuring that such establishments remain incredibly popular.
What’s more, each local hotel boasts its own unique backstory, especially those that have been around for decades.
The Balmoral Hotel is precisely one such establishment. It not only offers an exceptionally high standard of service, refined over many years, but also holds the status of one of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks.
Creating an Establishment with an Incredible Past
This legendary hotel is situated right in the heart of the city, on Princes Street – long renowned as the main shopping thoroughfare.
The hotel’s story began way back in 1895, when William Hamilton Beattie took on the design of the building. The North British Railway commissioned the project, and on 15th October 1902, the magnificent edifice officially opened its doors to the public under the name North British Railway.
Unique Features of The Balmoral
Delving deeper into the building itself, its incredible architecture is immediately apparent. Crafted in the Victorian style, it undoubtedly shaped the entire character of the hotel.
Given that the railway owned the hotel for most of the 20th century, it was known during those years as the North British Hotel. Another distinctive feature back then was the red jackets worn by the porters, who would deliver guests’ luggage.
A Period of Significant Change
Major changes for the hotel began in 1923, starting with a new owner: The London and North Eastern Railway.
Then, in 1948, following the nationalisation of the railways, the establishment came under the management of British Transport Hotels. But this wasn’t the final change; the hotel was soon privatised, and in 1983, The Gleneagles Hotel Company acquired it.
A Grand Reopening with a Star
In 1988, the hotel temporarily closed its doors for extensive refurbishment. The cost of these works amounted to a substantial £23,000,000.
However, to many people’s surprise, the building was sold in 1990 to Balmoral International Hotels.
On 12th June 1991, a grand reopening ceremony took place, attended by none other than the legendary actor, Sean Connery. It was then that the establishment was officially renamed The Balmoral. A commemorative plaque was even installed in the lobby to mark this momentous occasion.
Another Sale and Change of Ownership
The fate of this particular hotel has always been incredibly interesting when it comes to its ownership. Throughout its history, the establishment has changed hands numerous times, with each new owner bringing something fresh to its interior or operational structure.
After Balmoral International Hotels, the hotel was acquired by Forte Group plc. However, in 1996, Forte Group plc was itself bought by Granada plc, which then decided to put The Balmoral up for sale.
The hotel didn’t have to wait long for a new owner. On 1st March 1997, the agreement was signed, making Sir Rocco Forte, founder of Rocco Forte Hotels, the proud new proprietor.
It’s fair to say that these changes proved beneficial for the establishment. Under Mr. Forte’s management, The Balmoral became the first Scottish hotel to receive a 5-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide.
The Clock as a Distinctive Landmark
As mentioned earlier, The Balmoral is an extraordinary hotel. Firstly, its long history is truly impressive. Secondly, the building itself is an Edinburgh landmark.
Regarding the latter, it’s crucial to highlight something specific.
The hotel’s immense popularity is largely due to its legendary clock tower, which absolutely deserves special attention.
The intricate clock mechanism requires specific maintenance, a task that has been entrusted to the renowned firm James Ritchie & Son since 1902.
Another fascinating fact about the clock is that it runs three minutes fast. This clever trick was implemented to ensure hotel guests had ample time to catch their trains.
However, there’s one day a year when the legendary clock shows the correct time: 31st December.
Thus, The Balmoral stands as a unique example of how Edinburgh masterfully combines business, history, and beauty. This incredible building has been owned by many companies, and each, with their extensive entrepreneurial experience, has managed to preserve the authenticity of the structure. They have only made it even better, adding harmony between its amazing past and its incredible present.