The frontage of the 98-room design led Market Street Hotel situated right in the heart of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage and Old Town Conservation Area has been kept carefully under wraps throughout the extended construction period.

But now, as the hotel prepares to open its doors to its first visitors next year, local residents and visitors can get a real flavour of the latest addition to the capital’s skyline.

The eight-storey hotel, developed by The EDI Group for Carlton Hotel Collection at 6 Market Street on derelict land between Craig’s Close and City Arts Centre has been designed by jmarchitects. The building has already won architectural plaudits including an AR MIPIM Future Project Commendation for the way its original contemporary design deploys the materials, proportions and geometries of its highly urban historical context.

Once open, guests to the hotel will be able to enjoy a top floor lounge with panoramic views across the Waverley Valley to the New Town from Princes Street Gardens to Calton Hill from a specially-designed champagne bar roof terrace.

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Lezley Marion Cameron, EDI Board chair, said: “Since work commenced in 2016 there has been a lot of local interest in our progress. Now that the big crane is gone and the scaffolding has been removed, people can judge the results for themselves and really see, for the first time, a stunning design that complements the unique architecture of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

“The project presented major design challenges with the site surrounded by historic buildings on three sides and by Market Street and Waverley Station directly in front.

“We are immensely proud to be delivering an outstanding luxury hotel in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, and that a long-vacant site has been brought back into use for residents and visitors to enjoy, which is in such close proximity to Waverley Station and Edinburgh’s bus and tram connections.”

Carlton Hotel Collection’s managing director, Alfred Bree, said the Market Street Hotel will be Scotland’s first Design Hotel, with each room meticulously finished with style and design, bringing a new dimension to the city’s hotel supply.

He said: “Throughout the hotel, the interior design reflects the heritage of the location while meeting all demands of the international modern traveller. We are working hard to put the finishing touches to it so that this remarkable building will be ready for our guests to enjoy soon.”

Rod Duncan, director at jmarchitects, said: “This site has lain empty and derelict for nearly five decades and we are delighted that the public can finally see what we have achieved in remarkable surroundings. It is through a rigorous analysis of this historic fabric that we believe the design has developed to be truly respectful to its context. We are looking forward to seeing the hotel’s doors open in the near future.”

Final finishing work on the interior, designed by award design company FG Stijl, is continuing with the hotel set to open early next year.