Point Hotel : to undergo "radical refurbishment" by KBA - Kerr Blyth Associates

The Point Hotel & The Point Conference Centre, 32 & 34 Bread St, Edinburgh
1997-99


Point Hotel: image by Steffen Schefer

The Point Hotel was created by refurbishing the Old St Cuthbert's Co-operative Association Ltd. Showroom building (by TP Marnick &Son, 1937) featuring reputedly the first curtain walling in Scotland. The Point is made by large uncluttered spaces with plenty of curves and lit throughout by coloured concealed lighting creates a vibrant contemporary look. The lighting, generally fluorescent lights covered in various hues of silica gel, is by Jonathan Speirs & Associates. The Point Hotel entrance / foyer was refurbished mid-2000.


Point Hotel: image by Steffen Schefer

The restaurant has real atmosphere and its dark palette and solid chandeliers are influenced by Prague's famous Obecni Dom bar/restaurant. It's large windows to Bread Street are veiled with translucent white floor-to-ceiling curtains and the relationship with the kitchen is refreshingly uncelebrated. Entry is from the Foyer which connects entry, reception and lifts: this space separates the restaurant from the bar but each has access. Thus two routes overlap and without the impediment of doors are highly successful. Vibrant planes of colour and wonderfully-clean modern lines reach their apotheosis in the Foyer, as upstairs the carpet and wall finishes dull the impression necassarily.


Point Hotel: image by Steffen Schefer

Monboddo's Bar revolves around the central oval-shaped bar: this is made of steel and glass with curious orange bookends to the spirit shelves. The furniture is well-selected and the space is decorated with modern sculptures.

Each space - foyer, restaurant, bar - has a strong individual flavour, with no fear of using both dark and vivid colours, nor of using large expanses of perspex. The late Andrew Doolan was both the developer and the architect of the scheme and part-owned this Hotel, the Conference Centre and the Edinburgh City Travel Inn.


Point Conference Centre: image © Adrian Welch

Andrew Doolan's empire grows with the minimal but playful addition of the Point Conference Centre next-door-but-one. The intervention is bold and integrates well into the street with a roof terrace stepping back above, topped off with a simple canopy. Materials used are similiar to the Point and Mondboddo's.



Point Conference Centre

The Point Hotel - Awards:
1996 RIAS
1997 Edinburgh Architectural Association
1998 Civic Trust
1998 RIBA Awards for Architecture
1999 Scottish Design Awards
1999 European Hotel Design and Development Awards
2001 FX International Interior Design Awards


Point Conference Centre: image © keith hunter from the Point Hotel / Andrew Doolan Architects

The Point Conference Centre:

2001 Roses Design Awards
2001 Edinburgh Architectural Association
2002 Civic Trust
2002 Dynamic Place Awards
2002 Scottish Design Awards
2002 British Archaeological Awards

Book a room at the Point Hotel, Edinburgh: 0131 221 5555 - please mention this website.

The Point Hotel was selected as one of the world's top 50 design hotels. The Hotel contains 140 bedrooms of which 4 are luxury jacuzzi suites and 85 being executive bedrooms, most with views north of Edinburgh Castle.
Point Hotel dining times (last checked 2004): Mon-Thu 6-10pm; Fri & Sat 6-11pm - check with The Point.

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Point Hotel architect - the late Andy Doolan

Point Hotel & Point Conference Centre photos (except lowest shot) © Adrian Welch

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Point Hotel - Website: www.point-hotel.co.uk