AN A-listed former court and jail in the Scottish capital is to be turned into a "capsule hotel".

The former district court and cells at 1a Parliament Square on the Royal Mile will be transformed into a modern pod-style accommodation in the plans by Edinburgh-based Code, which already has a hotel in Edinburgh.

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It is proposed that the majority of the existing Georgian building pattern will be kept with the original features and the character of the courthouse and cells exposed to create the boutique hotel.

The Herald:

The original features will be "expressed to form a central feature of the hotel experience" and it is claimed guests will be "responsible green travellers", with young Chinese visitors expected to be one target market.

It is also planned to reinstate many of the existing blocked up windows and recreate the original, historic entrance door in the building currently used mainly for storage.

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The applicant's supporting statement stated: "The existing building is inefficiently utilised given the original design of the building for holding cells and court rooms.

"This proposal by Code seeks to utilise and celebrate the historic fabric of the building through ensuring that every possible aspect of the building is put to good use.

"It is the historic and original use of the building which excites Code and would be used as a key component of the marketing and theme of the new hotel to provide a unique visitor experience.

The Herald:

"Given the number of younger visitors travelling to Edinburgh it is surprising not to see more good modern, high quality hostels in operation. "

The design statement added: "Code are currently looking to provide additional accommodation within their home city, Edinburgh, with the proposals to create a world class boutique pod hotel at 1a Parliament Square.

"This would act as the firm’s flagship property and company headquarters.

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"Code are tapping into a trend towards boutique pod-style accommodation in Europe, mirroring its success in Asia,where the hostels help meet the demand for high quality affordable overnight stays in high-density urban areas.

"Code prides itself on working with local business within Edinburgh which includes software developers, designers and architects, and want to take local suppliers on their journey with them."

The firm’s current headcount in Edinburgh numbers 15 and it said staffing levels at the capital HQ could rise as high as 50 as the company scales up.

The Herald:

"Their guests tend to be responsible green travellers, who appreciate recycling, waste reduction and low energy foot print."

The refit could start this autumn if approved.

Andrew Landsburgh, of Code, which also has the Code Capsule Hotel off Rose Street, said: "Our pod hotel concept is taking off and highly popular.

"We are expanding the successful brand with our second location in Edinburgh. 

“This unique venue, in such an iconic Old Town location, will be a great boost to this expanding market particularly with overseas visitors.

"Chinese tourists on a budget are exceptionally keen on our product and with the launch of the first direct flights between Beijing and Edinburgh we are excited to be timing our expansion with this great venue and the potential that it offers our customers.

“We’ll have really cool private rooms made of the prison cells and we’re excited to be using much of the building’s history in our design.

“We expect that the prospect of a night in the cells in Edinburgh will be keenly sought."

Bill Cowan, of the Old Town Community Council, said: "This is certainly not what we would consider a suitable use for this fine and prominent archetypal Edinburgh building.

"It seems that far from a prestige hotel on the Royal Mile, what is envisioned here is another rabbit warren of a hostel.

"We admit that there are some disused buildings that it is hard to find a use for, and we dont totally disagree with sensitive development of small  boutique hotels in some cases.

"This proposal we find abhorrent, and will strongly object."