£25m green hotel opens in Glasgow

Blythswood Square has opened this week in Glasgow as one of Scotland’s most environmentally friendly hotels, at a cost of £25m.

Situated in one of the city’s most iconic buildings – the former Royal Scottish Automobile Club – the luxury 100-bedroom hotel is aiming for a five-star rating. 

The development of the hotel has been carried out by the Town House Collection, which owns four boutique hotels in Edinburgh – the Bonham, Channings, the Howard and the Edinburgh Residence.

Having built an eco home with his wife in Edinburgh, Peter Taylor, chairman of the Town House Collection, wanted Blythswood Square to incorporate all the latest in green building innovation while at the same time retain the architectural features of the property which was built in 1823. 

As a result, carbon emissions of the hotel have been reduced by over 43%, compared to a building of a similar size and age.

Managing director of the hotel is Hans Rissmann, who was operations manager at Malmaison Leeds before joining the Town House Collection as general manager at Channings and then general manager at the Bonham.  Recently he has been operations director for the group. 

Daniel Hall joins the hotel as executive head chef from a similar position at the Pool House Hotel, Wester Ross.  He was the winner of the Young Scottish Chef of the Year award in 1996.

The opening of Blythswood is being phased over several months.  The reception, restaurant, banqueting rooms and 24 bedrooms are now open with the remaining bedrooms and penthouse with rooftop hot tub welcoming guests from next month.  The spa opens in February 2010.

The Town House Collection to open in Glasgow >>

Energy saving heating at Blythswood Square >>

Eco-friendly five-star hotel to open in Battersea >>

Green credentials are a high priority for hotel guests >>


By Janet Harmer

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