Hotel planned for Jenners building on Princes Street

The billionaire owner of the Princes Street building which has been homes to the Jenners department store for more than 180 years has unveiled plans to convert the property into a hotel and rooftop restaurant.Anders Holch Povlsen, who bought the category A building in 2017 for a reported £50 million, plans to restore its facade including the reinstatement of lost original elements.David Chipperfield Architects has been appointed to lead the design of the project which is expected to begin in 2021.The redevelopment will include more than 10,000 square metres of hotel space, 7,000 square metres of retail space including cafes, restaurants and bar alongside a potential raft of luxury shops linked to his clothing empire Bestseller.Project manager Anders Krogh said the plans for the Jenners building will aim to create the “best possible framework for future users”.Discussions between the developers and the City of Edinburgh Council are said to be ongoing ahead of a formal planning application.Sports Direct, which owns Jenner’s, has played down claims that it will move to the new £850 million St James shopping centre due to open next year.