Hamilton Grand, the “second most photographed building in golf” comprising 26 luxury residences on the 18th hole of St Andrews’ Old Course, is an excellent reflection of the increasingly buoyant million-pound property market in Scotland.
North of the border, there were 211 property sales above £1m last year, which is the highest number since 2008, and Hamilton Grand alone accounted for four of the properties sold, with only ten apartments now available1. Located on Golf Place, recent Bank of Scotland research listed it as the most expensive street in Scotland at £2,490 per square foot, which sets a new price record.
This iconic red sandstone building – with its distinctive bell-shaped dome – has provided the backdrop to some of the most famous moments in golf history. The building has a colourful heritage, starting off life as a 100-bedroom luxury hotel in 1895, the first in Scotland with hot and cold running water in each bedroom and the first with an elevator.
It was requisitioned by the Air Ministry in the Second World War as a home for pilots. Post-war, The University of St Andrews purchased it and converted the hotel into student accommodation, and so it stayed for 56 years until Kohler Co. bought it in 2005 and began the refurbishment in 2009.
St Andrews attracts international buyers in a way no other location does. The past 12 months have emphasised this with lots of high-value sales to buyers from abroad, including many parents of university students. Scotland offers striking value with the top 26 sales in Scotland last year equating to the most recent £55m purchase in Mayfair, London.
Hamilton Grand, consisting of luxurious two, three- and four-bedroom apartments, is a stone’s throw from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, and offers panoramic views of the Old Course, the North Sea and the St Andrews castle ruins. Apartments at Hamilton Grand are available on a freehold basis, and range in size from 1,053 to 2,779 square feet, starting at £1,050,000 with a rental management programme offered.
Residences are individually designed with architectural features such as high ceilings, arched windows, columns and private balconies. Exquisite furnishings and finishes combine with unrivalled attention to detail, such as the golfing memorabilia. Apartments come furnished with bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinets and appliances. Kohler Design Services offer bespoke interior design solutions including furnishing, flooring, lighting, painting or wall coverings, and cater to every taste from traditional Scottish to contemporary.
Hamilton Grand features include a private lounge for residents and a sensational roof terrace, which is the perfect place to watch the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship from this September, or the Open in 2021. The Open will be the 150th playing of the championship and the 30th time that St Andrews has hosted the world’s biggest and most popular golf event.
The residences are managed by the Old Course Hotel, and residents also benefit from complimentary membership at the resort’s Kohler Waters Spa and Fitness Centre including a 20-metre swimming pool and rooftop hot tub, and priority dining at the hotel as well as butler service, valet parking, private chefs and full housekeeping services.
Jonathan Risseeuw, General Manager – Group Marketing & Golf Majors for Kohler Co. commented: “Hamilton Grand’s unparalleled location affords our residents the best view in golf. It offers a modern lifestyle with a flair for history, complete with world-class golf, a renowned spa and fine dining close by. St Andrews has it all, and the residences provide the exceptional accommodation that discerning buyers were seeking.”
Over the past ten years, St Andrews has established itself as the most expensive location for homes in Scotland. Jamie Macnab, Head of Savills Country Homes department in Scotland commented: “The prices on Golf Place, The Scores and The Links are significantly higher that the top prices paid in Edinburgh and Glasgow. This is because St Andrews attracts buyers from all over the world who are gripped by the history and magic of the place.
Golf is one of the main reasons why people buy homes in St Andrews with the town being recognised as the “Home of Golf” and the Old Course being arguably the most famous golf course in the world. However, not all the buyers at Hamilton Grand and elsewhere in St Andrews are golfers – others are drawn to the town for its history, architecture and stunning coastline.”
Iconic destination St Andrew is one of Scotland’s most ancient towns dating from the 12th century with St Andrews Cathedral, which was the centre of Christianity in Scotland for hundreds of years and a pilgrimage destination in medieval times. It is also home to Scotland’s oldest university, which is the third oldest in Britain, and a much-loved seaside resort with the award-winning West Sands beach.
St Andrews is as much the “Mecca of Golf” to the great champions as it is to the mere devotee. A golf bucket list is not complete without the experience of St Andrews; after all, this is where golf began. There are more golf courses per person in Scotland than anywhere else in the world, and St Andrews is home to 11 in total – 7 of Championship class – a world-renowned golf academy, as well as The Royal and Ancient Golf Club that sets the rules of golf worldwide. Golf membership of The Duke’s Course, a championship parkland course is available to residents for an additional fee. For a minimal annual fee, Hamilton Grand owners who are permanent residents for more than six months per annum are eligible to apply for a links ticket providing access to the Old Course and the six other courses of the links trust.
Hamilton Grand residents enjoy access to not only the finest golf but also the top-class dining in Scotland. St Andrews newest ‘19th hole’ is directly adjacent to the residences is Hams Hame Pub Grill, offering Scottish cuisine, and the neighbouring Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa features the Road Hole Restaurant, rated 3 AA Rosettes, and the elegantly casual Sands Grill.
The town also offers excellent transport links with a train station, good road access from Edinburgh and other destinations, and Leuchars airfield for private jet arrivals. There is also an increasing trend of buyers identifying pre-requisites such as excellent transport links with the best telecommunications, most notably fast broadband speed, due to strong interest for out of town options due to more and more people opting to work from home.
The hubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow are not the only places for big-ticket purchases any more. There is an uptick of movement from England to north of the border, where a buyer can get more space and better quality for their budget.
More information
Hamilton Grand
St. Andrews
Kingdom of Fife
Scotland
KY16 9SP
Website: www.hamiltongrand.co.uk