Zedwell, a hotel brand known for its unique offering of windowless rooms, is expanding its footprint beyond London by acquiring the former Debenhams department store on Edinburgh’s Princes Street. This new venture marks the brand’s fifth hotel and signifies its entry into key British regional cities.

Criterion Capital, the company behind Zedwell, has a robust growth plan, with a pipeline of 22 hotels expected to add over 7,000 rooms by 2026. The Edinburgh site, praised for its prime location, aligns with the brand’s focus on adapting existing buildings for hotel use. In January 2024, Zedwell also secured approval for a 187-room hotel in Manchester, scheduled to open in early 2026. The development could be mentioned at upcoming property networking events in Manchester and Edinburgh, providing an opportunity for industry professionals to engage with the project and explore potential collaborations.

Kerr Young of JLL, who facilitated the Edinburgh transaction, highlighted the city’s appeal: “Edinburgh remains the best performing hotel market in Europe. We are very excited to facilitate the entry of a new hotel concept such as Zedwell.” The introduction of Zedwell’s unique concept in the Scottish capital might attract interest at property investment events in Edinburgh, reflecting the city’s robust tourism and hospitality sector.

Zedwell’s hotels are designed to offer a tranquil, TV-free environment with soundproofing and natural materials, ensuring a restful experience. The flexible room layout, which accommodates groups of various sizes, is a distinctive feature, allowing for easy adaptation of existing structures. This innovative approach could be a topic of discussion at a property construction networking event in London, as it showcases a modern trend in hotel design and construction.

The trend of windowless hotel rooms is growing in the UK, with other budget brands following suit. The planning approval system in the UK supports this model, allowing for creative conversions like Premier Inn’s upcoming project in London, which will transform an underground car park into a 207-room hotel. This trend might be explored at infrastructure investment events in the UK, highlighting the innovative use of urban spaces.

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