“As an established business hub with a thriving global tourism industry, we are confident that there will be a huge appetite for our innovative lifestyle brand in the Scottish capital,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “W Edinburgh’s location at the pulsing heart of the new Edinburgh St James development, combined with its innovative design, contemporary interiors and the W brand’s signature programming, will create the perfect setting for the second W hotel in the United Kingdom.”

W Edinburgh will redefine the city’s hospitality landscape with its modern design, signature amenities and a full calendar of W Happenings showcasing what’s new in design, fashion and music. Guests will also be treated to the brand’s iconic Whatever/Whenever service philosophy that delivers whatever they want, whenever they want it.

The hotel will offer 214 stylish guestrooms, including 20 suites and one Extreme Wow Suite (the W brand’s interpretation of the Presidential Suite). The rooftop will feature a buzzing destination bar and outdoor terrace, offering guests and locals 360-degree panoramic views of the historic skyline, along with a cutting-edge approach to cocktails and cuisine. Other areas will include W Lounge (the W brand’s energetic spin on the hotel lobby), a signature restaurant, FIT - the ultimate workout facility, and an AWAY Spa offering the W Hotels brand’s signature health and lifestyle experiences. An ideal venue for events, W Edinburgh will provide 2,450 square feet of ultra-modern event space.

Stephen Wicks, Director of Shopping Centres at TH Real Estate, said, “From the outset, our intention has been to secure a truly world class hotel operator for Edinburgh St James, complementing the rest of the development and forming an integral part of the scheme’s vibrant offer. We are delighted to have finalised this deal with Starwood Hotels and Resorts and to be welcoming such an iconic and established brand as W Hotels to Scotland for the very first time.”

The Edinburgh St James development will see the shopping center currently on site replaced with 850,000 square feet of retail space, a multi-screen cinema and up to 250 new homes, as well as W Edinburgh. The project will support the city’s tourist industry, which contributes an estimated £260m to Edinburgh’s economy each year.

The addition of W Edinburgh to Starwood’s UK portfolio complements the iconic W London - Leicester Square, which opened to great fanfare in 2011 and continues to wow jetsetters from around the world. W loyalists will revel in being able to experience two energetic and unique UK cities within a few hours of travel.

“The fact that W continues to drive growth across the EAME region is testament to the exceptional appeal of the brand to owners and developers. This standout location in the heart of Edinburgh will be a fantastic addition to the W portfolio,” said Karl Bieberach, Vice President Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe.

About W Hotels Worldwide

W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 49 hotels, including 18 W-branded residences, in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. With over 15 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach 75 hotels by 2020. W Hotels have been announced for Shanghai, Tel Aviv, Goa, Abu Dhabi, Phuket, Dubai, Amman, Jakarta, Panama, Riviera Maya, Muscat, Hainan Island, Suzhou, Changsha, Chengdu, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Shenyang, Marrakech, Brisbane, Aspen and Madrid. For more information, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About TH Real Estate

TH Real Estate is an established investment management company, specialising in real estate equity and debt investment worldwide. As one of the largest real estate managers in the world, TH Real Estate has the scale, capital resources and knowledge to provide creative and effective real estate investment solutions for clients. With a focus on the retail, office, logistics, debt and multifamily residential sectors, TH Real Estate emphasises sustainable practices to protect assets and maximise their value. The company is owned by TIAA, the leading provider of financial services in the academic, research, medical, cultural and government fields. TIAA has c.£577bn assets under management* and offers a wide range of financial solutions, including investing, banking, advice and guidance, and retirement services. Launched in April 2014, TH Real Estate has a dedicated global presence with offices across America, Asia and Europe, representing c.£19.7bn* of real estate assets across c.50 funds and mandates. Together with TIAA’s US real estate assets, the global real estate platform of £61.9bn* represents one of the largest real estate investment management enterprises in the world. Its products are managed by specialist teams, which apply their own experience to the management and style of their portfolios. Each team is supported by an experienced senior management team and integrated investment platform, including finance, debt and currency management, performance analytics, client service, fund and transaction structuring, development, sustainability and research.www.threalestate.com *As at 31 December 2015