BAM appointed to St James Quarter’s W Edinburgh

During the pre-construction period, BAM’s team has already closely involved its supply chain in the process of creating key packages that identify and minimise risks, while enhancing the project’s buildability.

Keppie Design has also been appointed as delivery architect by BAM to integrate its design solutions and assist with full 3D co-ordination of the design.

Edward Webb, Director of Development Management at Nuveen Real Estate, said: ‘We are delighted with the appointment of BAM, and excited to be moving forward at pace with the interiors of W Edinburgh. The hotel is a complex fit out across three very different buildings and architecture, and the experience of BAM will ensure the highest quality and efficiency can be delivered to enable the hotel to open in late 2023. W Edinburgh will redefine the city’s hospitality scene with its design, signature amenities and full calendar of immersive W Happenings to complement the festival city.’

Designed by award-winning architecture and interior design practice Jestico + Whiles, in conjunction with lead scheme architects, Allan Murray Architects, the W Edinburgh features a striking exterior façade, evoking the festival spirit of Edinburgh and creating an outstanding landmark building at the heart of the city. Crafted from a winding bronze-coloured steel ‘ribbon’, the design has been likened to spirals of paper, a reference to the many printing presses, which used to pepper the surrounding area in times past.

Once completed in late 2023, W Edinburgh will redefine the city’s hospitality scene with a modern design, signature amenities and a full calendar of high-energy programming, curated sounds and happenings, drawing inspiration from the locale. W Edinburgh will also be the brand’s first hotel in Scotland.

The hotel will offer 244 stylish guestrooms, including 42 suites and one Extreme Wow Suite (the W brand’s interpretation of the Presidential Suite). The rooftop will feature a SUSHISAMBA restaurant with its unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine as well as outdoor terrace offering guests and locals 360-degree panoramic views of the historic skyline.

Other areas include W Lounge (the W brand’s energetic spin on the hotel lobby), a signature restaurant, a W Sound Suite (the brand’s take on a writer’s room and music studio), FIT® - the ultimate workout facility - and an AWAY® Spa. Guests will also be treated to the brand’s iconic Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy that promises whatever guests want, whenever they want it.

BAM’s work around Scotland – where it has had a dedicated business since 1960 - is highly regarded having delivered recent schemes like V&A Dundee and the Johnnie Walker Experience. It is both developer and contractor behind Atlantic Square (Glasgow) and Capital Square (Edinburgh) among many other signature buildings in the country.

Jim Ward, Regional Director, BAM Construction Scotland, added: ‘This is a prestigious, striking, and high-quality development for Scotland. BAM’s work on the Johnnie Walker Experience and V&A Dundee shows we have the pedigree and credentials to deliver such ambitious schemes. During the pre-construction period our team has brought our customary collaborative approach to bear in helping de-risk and develop the design while forming a strong relationship with our partners. It is going to be as exciting to build as it will be to stay here when we complete our work.’

The 1.7 million sq ft city centre development being delivered by Nuveen Real Estate completes the distinctive offer of Edinburgh with over 80 new brands including, John Lewis, Zara, & Other Stories, LEGO, and BOSS to name a few. These will be accompanied by an enticing mix of restaurants and bars including Bonnie & Wild, Duck & Waffle as well as a boutique Everyman Cinema, a 75-bed Roomzzz Aparthotel, 152 New Eidyn apartments being built by Native Land, and a 1,600-capacity car park, all integrated with an enviable events programme in a range of new and attractive public space.

About St James Quarter

St James Quarter is Edinburgh’s largest development in a generation - a new 1.7 million sq ft masterplan in urban placemaking. Comprising 850,000 sq ft of retail space, St James Quarter complements the luxury shopping offer of neighbouring retailer Harvey Nichols, which anchors the premium shopping street of Multrees Walk. Completing the city centre’s retail circuit with John Lewis, Zara, & Other Stories, LEGO, and Kurt Geiger to name a few, it is also home to an enticing mix of new restaurants, cafés and bars; and next year will add Scotland’s first W Hotel – W Edinburgh – which will include 244 stylish guestrooms, a destination bar, outdoor terrace, signature restaurant, chef’s table, and an AWAY® Spa. St James Quarter will also include a boutique five-screen Everyman Cinema, a luxury aparthotel brand Roomzzz, comprising 75-rooms; and 152 New Eidyn residential apartments by Native Land; in addition to delivering nine new public squares and 1,600 car parking spaces.

About BAM Construction

Being the construction business of BAM UK and Ireland division, BAM Construction is at the forefront of social and technological change in the UK’s built environment. It has created some of Britain’s best-known and best-performing buildings. The company operates from major regional centres in every major city of the UK.

BAM is a leader in digital construction and contributed to the development of platform design solutions to assist the whole sector through the Construction Industry Hub. It is known for its highly collaborative ethos. It is also one of very few construction companies placed on CDP's prestigious ‘A List’ for climate change. It is a signatory of the World Green Building Council Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment.

Its work in Scotland includes the V&A Dundee, Atlantic Square and the Zaha Hadid-designed Transport Museum in Glasgow, and in Edinburgh, the Johnnie Walker Experience and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Its work in the country dates back further than 1960 and includes many well-known and landmark buildings.