Hamilton Hall was a hall of residence for the University of St Andrews, Scotland, between the years of 1949 and 2006.
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The building that would become Hamilton Hall was originally opened as a hotel in 1895 to capitalise on the rapid expansion of St Andrews as a popular tourist destination. The Grand Hotel was in a prime location to take advantage of two of the city's attractions: golf and sea bathing. Indeed, the hotel soon became very successful and even managed to attract royal clientele in the early years of the twentieth century. However, the hotel was requisitioned by the armed forces during the Second World War and never reopened as a hotel. Following the end of the war, there was a proposal to sell the building to the Roman Catholic Church as a residence and seminary. This plan caused much alarm among the more traditional Presbyterians in the town and was soon abandoned.
Instead the hotel was acquired by the University of St Andrews and was opened as a hall of residence in 1949. In 2005 the University announced that it had sold the hall as the result of an unsolicited bid and consequently the university session 2005-06 would be the last year Hamilton Hall would be open as a hall of residence. The building was sold for £20 million.[1] In addition, it was decided that Eden Court — an annexe to the main hall — would also be sold. However, it was not bought by the same purchasers and has since become an annexe of McIntosh Hall.
The building is perhaps one of the most famous in St Andrews as it was featured both in the film Chariots of Fire and in coverage of the many golf tournaments played over the Old Course.
Following refurbishment and renovation, the hall will reopen as a number of premier private residences.
In July 2006, work began on Hamilton Hall to convert it into a prestigious residence club, The St Andrews Grand. While many options were considered for Hamilton Hall, a residence club bringing like-minded people together to preserve the Victorian building was considered the best option. Membership prices are between $1.3 million and $3.3 dependent upon the size of the flat, its view and its position within the building. Services will include butlers, housekeeping, masterchefs, private and communal dining, spa and treatments for men and women, club/library, games/billiards room and courtesy cars.
As of October 2008, Hamilton Hall has seen no renovation work and is in a state of disrepair. Several windows are broken or gone, leaving the inside open to the perils of Scottish weather, and the facade of the building is deteriorating. Many local residents have moved for the sale of Hamilton Hall from the owners and developers of the St. Andrews Grand, Wasserman Real Estate Capital, LLC.
In early 2009 a Scottish-based property development company took on the project management. A significantly revised plan (which includes keeping the name 'Hamilton Hall') will result in the development of 12 large and very luxurious apartments, in keeping with the history and traditions of St Andrews. A public announcement of the revised plan was expected in the spring of 2009.
The development did not take place. Jones Lang LaSalle in Scotland has been selected by the lender (Heritable Creditor) to place the property on the market beginning in June 2009.[2]
In December 2009 Hamilton hall was acquired by US businessman Herb Kohler who intends on restoring the building. [3]
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