The project, for highly-rated fund manager, Artemis Investment Management LLP, involves the development of almost 14,000 sq ft of Cat A office space in the heart of Edinburgh’s Financial District to provide a high-spec working environment.

Located on the 6^th floor of Exchange Plaza, the fit-out of Artemis’ Edinburgh office is a notable addition to Sharkey’s extensive portfolio of commercial office projects for the UK’s financial sector.  Artemis has offices in Edinburgh and London, offers a range of funds invested across the globe and has around £30bn of assets under management.

Situated in Edinburgh’s Parliament Square at the core of the Old Town Conservation Area, this revolutionary 20,000 sqft project involves historically sensitive structural alterations, manufacturing and installing 181 sleeping “pods”,  the conversion of former prison cells into 12 boutique bedrooms, construction of toilet and shower facilities and the creation of a bespoke reception area, breakfast room and support accommodation.  The existing layout of the six-storey Georgian building will be retained along with many original features, including rooms named after infamous former inmates.

CODE POD Hostel is an urban concept designed to give travellers a central location in a unique quality-sleeping environment.

Won following a competitive tender process, this £3 million fit-out includes 98 urban-themed bedrooms and an exclusive top floor restaurant and champagne bar with panoramic views across Edinburgh’s historic city centre skyline.  It will enjoy the distinction of being the first hotel in Scotland to be selected as a member of the exclusive Design Hotels^TM group, who handpick and promote the world’s finest examples of unique hotels.

The project win demonstrates Sharkey’s fast-growing reputation as one of the UK’s premier fit-out and refurbishment contractors in the hotel sector and follows on the heels of another recent project win at Buchan House, St Andrew Square for S Harrison Developments and Malmaison Hotel du Vin Group.  Overall, it adds to a portfolio of over £70 million worth of hotel projects to date and over 1,100 bedrooms in total for a range of 4 and 5 star brands including Intercontinental Hotels Group, Radisson Hotels and the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews for Kohler Co.

Procured through Public Contracts Scotland and one of Sharkey’s largest ever public sector contracts at £7.4 million, the project was over 3 phases and involved the full refurbishment of all 349 study bedrooms, 25 communal pantries and a complete upgrade of all key M&E infrastructure.

Working closely with the campus management team to ensure minimal disruption at the university’s principal residential campus, Pollock Halls, was essential with over 1,900 students and staff in residence while works were underway.

With a large number of pedestrians and vehicles in the vicinity in what is a main arterial route into the centre of Edinburgh, Sharkey’s project delivery team met a number of key challenges.  These included the requirement to keep a micro-lab and function suite operational throughout the life of the project and the need to accommodate key university dates including around student exams.  It was crucial that the university was still able to generate income from the estate during the works, including at the time of Edinburgh Festivals and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Running alongside the Holland House project, Sharkey was engaged to modernise the adjoining Masson House into a quality hotel for operator Edinburgh First, the commercial arm of the University of Edinburgh’s accommodation division.  The £1.9 million project saw the conversion of a dated 3 star hotel, increasing the floor space of each room by 50 per cent in order to maximise revenue.

Dalry Swim Centre comprises a swimming pool with poolside and mezzanine changing facilities and a gym on the first floor and the building, which is a Category B listing, is located near to the city’s burgeoning Haymarket regeneration area.

Viewed as one of Edinburgh’s most iconic Victorian pools, the project involves extensive indoor and outdoor works, the introduction of a new ventilation system to make the building more energy efficient and upgraded facilities to cater for families and disabled people.