Kimpton Charlotte Square — Georgian Heritage and Modern Luxury in Edinburgh’s New Town
- HOLYROOD TRAVEL
- Mar 10
- 5 min read
A Vision for a New Edinburgh
By the middle of the eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a city under pressure. The medieval Old Town — stretched along the ridge between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace — had become severely overcrowded. Towering tenements housed thousands within narrow closes and confined streets, creating some of the highest urban population densities in Europe.
The solution would become one of the most ambitious urban planning projects of the age.
In 1766 the Edinburgh Town Council launched a design competition for a new district to be built north of the Nor’ Loch, the valley that today forms Princes Street Gardens. The winning plan came from the young architect James Craig, whose vision introduced a rational grid of broad streets and elegant squares inspired by classical order and Enlightenment ideals.
Construction of what would become Edinburgh’s New Town began in 1767. The development symbolised modernity, prosperity and intellectual confidence, offering light, space and architectural harmony in stark contrast to the crowded medieval city. The streets themselves reflected political identity following the Act of Union of 1707, with names honouring the Hanoverian monarchy. George Street formed the central spine, flanked by Princes Street and Queen Street. At the western end of this ambitious plan lay its architectural finale — Charlotte Square, named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.
Today the New Town stands as one of the finest examples of Georgian urban planning anywhere in Europe and forms part of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Charlotte Square — The Crown of the New Town
Charlotte Square represented the most refined expression of Craig’s original vision. While Craig designed the square, the final architectural scheme was refined by the renowned neoclassical architect Robert Adam, who introduced the elegant symmetrical façades that define the square today. Completed during the early nineteenth century, Charlotte Square quickly became one of the most prestigious addresses in Scotland.
The square was laid out around private gardens and framed by harmonious rows of Georgian townhouses constructed from pale sandstone. These residences attracted Edinburgh’s professional and intellectual elite — lawyers, physicians, academics and merchants who were drawn to the elegance and modernity of the New Town.
During this period Edinburgh was experiencing its intellectual golden age, often described as the Scottish Enlightenment. Thinkers such as David Hume, Adam Smith and James Hutton were reshaping philosophy, economics and science, giving the city a reputation as one of Europe’s great centres of learning.
Charlotte Square embodied this confidence — a carefully ordered urban space that reflected the ideals of reason, balance and civic pride.
Famous Residents and a Neighbourhood of Influence
The streets surrounding Charlotte Square have long been associated with remarkable figures in science, literature and medicine.
Just across the road on South Charlotte Street stands the birthplace of Alexander Graham Bell, born in 1847. Bell would later invent the telephone, transforming global communication and leaving a legacy that continues to shape modern life.
Within Charlotte Square itself lived Joseph Lister, the pioneering surgeon whose work on antiseptic techniques revolutionised medical practice. Lister’s research dramatically reduced infection in surgery and laid the foundations for modern surgical procedures.
Nearby on Castle Street lived Sir Walter Scott, the celebrated novelist and poet whose works helped shape international perceptions of Scotland. Through novels such as Waverley and Ivanhoe, Scott contributed to the romantic revival of Scottish identity in the nineteenth century.
Together, these connections reflect the intellectual energy that once filled the elegant Georgian streets surrounding Charlotte Square.
From Georgian Townhouses to Hotel
The buildings that now form Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel were originally constructed as private Georgian residences during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Designed with classical symmetry, tall sash windows and generous proportions, these townhouses provided elegant homes for Edinburgh’s professional classes. High ceilings, grand staircases and spacious drawing rooms reflected both wealth and architectural refinement.
As Edinburgh evolved during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many New Town residences gradually changed purpose. Large homes were increasingly converted into offices, institutions and clubs as the city’s commercial centre expanded. Eventually a number of the townhouses on the north side of Charlotte Square were brought together and adapted to form a hotel. This transformation preserved the historic exterior architecture while introducing modern hospitality spaces within the Georgian interiors.
Architecture and Interior Design
Today the hotel occupies several interconnected Georgian townhouses forming part of the northern terrace of Charlotte Square. Externally, the buildings retain their neoclassical elegance, with symmetrical sandstone facades and classical proportions that contribute to the square’s architectural harmony.
Inside, the design blends Georgian character with contemporary style. Original architectural features such as staircases, mouldings and high ceilings remain central to the building’s atmosphere, while modern materials, lighting and furnishings introduce warmth and comfort.
The interiors balance heritage with a relaxed modern aesthetic — a reflection of Edinburgh itself, where centuries of history coexist with contemporary culture.
Ownership, Renewal and a New Identity
For many years the property operated as The Roxburghe Hotel, a well-established Edinburgh hotel known for its central location and traditional hospitality.
A major transformation arrived in the late 2010s when the property became part of the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants collection, operated by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). Following an extensive refurbishment programme, the hotel reopened as Kimpton Charlotte Square, introducing a fresh design concept while preserving the character of the Georgian buildings.
The redevelopment focused on restoring architectural features while creating vibrant social spaces, contemporary guest rooms and modern wellness facilities. The result was a hotel that retained its historic setting while embracing a distinctly modern hospitality identity.
Five-Star Hospitality
Kimpton Charlotte Square is recognised today among Edinburgh’s leading five-star hotels.
Guest accommodation includes a wide range of rooms and suites designed for comfort and understated elegance. Public spaces throughout the hotel encourage social interaction while maintaining a sense of calm refinement.
At the centre of the hotel sits The Garden, a striking glass-roofed courtyard filled with natural light and greenery. This space functions as the social heart of the hotel, welcoming guests throughout the day.
Dining is centred around BABA, the hotel’s acclaimed Levantine-inspired restaurant known for charcoal cooking, bold spices and vibrant Mediterranean flavours. The restaurant has become popular with both visitors and Edinburgh residents. The hotel also features a luxury spa and wellness club, offering a swimming pool, fitness facilities and treatment rooms — providing a tranquil retreat within the city centre.
Charlotte Square remains one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Britain.
The gardens at the centre of the square provide a quiet green sanctuary, while the surrounding townhouses preserve the elegant symmetry envisioned more than two centuries ago.
Government offices, historic residences and hospitality venues now share the square, maintaining its status as one of Edinburgh’s most distinguished addresses.
Within this historic setting, Kimpton Charlotte Square continues the tradition of welcoming visitors to Edinburgh’s New Town.
Discover Edinburgh with Holyrood Travel
Located just moments from Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street, and the Royal Mile, Kimpton Charlotte Square offers an exceptional base from which to explore Scotland’s capital.
Holyrood Travel works closely with many of Edinburgh’s leading hotels, including Kimpton Charlotte Square, to curate private journeys that reveal the depth of Scotland’s landscapes, heritage and culture.
Through expert guiding and carefully planned itineraries, guests can move beyond the city streets and discover the Highlands, islands and ancestral landscapes that define Scotland.
For many travellers, their journey begins here — among the elegant Georgian architecture of Charlotte Square.
