Braemore leads the way in short-term lets

Braemore, Scotland’s leading property management company, is open a new division pioneering the rental of luxury city-centre properties on short-term lets.

The company is to test the concept with the launch in January of two refurbished properties in an Edinburgh New Town house, targeted specifically at potential tenants such as visiting executives or tourists.

Braemore believes the VisitScotland five-star rated development - at 15 and 15a Dundas Street in Edinburgh - will revolutionise the letting market in Edinburgh by offering a unique two or three-bedroomed home in the heart of the city for the same price as a boutique hotel room.

Braemore director Colette Murphy said the company, which manages a portfolio of more than 800 properties in Edinburgh, is focused on an expansion strategy and believes the high-end short-term rental market is the next big growth area in the letting industry.

She said: “We had been looking for some time for an area that we could expand into without compromising the quality of our portfolio and it struck us that there was nothing to cater for high-end short-term lets in Edinburgh.

“It is a niche sector and with 15 and 15a Dundas Street we are now able to offer visitors to Edinburgh – which is now clearly a major destination spot - a hugely appealing alternative to hotel rooms, while also giving them complete independence during their stay.

“We see the concept being particularly attractive to companies in Edinburgh’s financial sector who often have executives or consultants visiting the capital on short stays. It means these employees can enjoy staying in very comfortable surroundings, with space for their wives or families, and their companies don’t get tied up in longer term lets because they can book the properties only when needed.

“While there is already a steady market in short-term lets for events such as the Edinburgh Festival, the level of luxury we are offering is second to none. It offers something completely new in that visitors can stay for as little as one night in a five-star home right in the middle of the city for the same price as a hotel.

“We’re confident there is a strong demand for luxury short-lets accommodation in Edinburgh. We plan to quickly add more Braemore-owned properties to the short-lets portfolio and potentially opening out the concept to our existing long-lease landlords. We’d look to have some 10 luxury properties available as short lets by the end of 2007.

The properties at 15 and 15a – which are both owned by Braemore – have undergone a £300,000 renovation from former commercial office premises.

Number 15 comprises three king-size bedrooms with master ensuite, drawing room, dining kitchen and luxury bathroom while number 15a, situated on the lower ground floor, consists of two double bedrooms with master ensuite, living room open plan to kitchen and bathroom.

Both properties are accessed by main doors from Dundas Street and have been renovated and decorated to the highest contemporary standard throughout by renowned interior designer Jane Adams of Adams and Adams.

The properties are fitted with modern centralised music systems with speakers in every room while every bedroom has its own iPod docking station, flat screen TV and DVD player. Both properties also have their own private parking space – a rare commodity in central Edinburgh.

Colette added: “What sets 15 and 15a apart is not only the central location but the extremely high quality of the finish in the homes. They offer everything anyone could ever need during a stay, be it for one night or one month.”

Prospective tenants looking for more information should visit braemore.co.uk.