[Marty Bonnar]

Any word over that side as to the fate of the Hamilton Hall development in the current financial doom'n'gloom?

http://www.wrecapital.com/property-media-article.asp?project=3&article=56

The poor building just looks shabbier and shabbier every time I pass it. It's all broken windows, peeling paint and dirty stonework. I can't imagine how it can ever be ready in time for the 2010 Open.

FBD.

[David_Tepper]

Martin -

There was a lengthy article in Golf World (US) magazine a couple of weeks ago.  The development is not going forward as planned. That is for sure.

Found the article. Here it is:

http://www.golfdigest.com/golfworld/columnists/2008/10/gw20081003cullity

DT

[Marty Bonnar]

Thanks David,
I just found it too. Marvellous thing, this Interweb!

Also noted and remembered that The Fairmont is offering FREE rounds on the revamped 'Kittock's' Course on I think the 21st of this month. I have no holidays left or would have jumped at it. Any other GCAers in town, I'd bet Gary would be glad to see you!!

cheers,
FBD.

[Anthony Gray]

 



   It will survive global warming.

[Rich Goodale]

 



   It will survive global warming.

Yes, Anthony, and maybe the R&A can buy it with the insurance settlement when their pile goes under, as it were.  If it were me, I'd prefer to have a clubhouse overlooking the 18th rather than the 1st anyway.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Richard is that because you like looking at cemeteries – the 18th is supposed to cover the graves of the old cholera victims from circa 1830’s.

As you said don’t shoot the messenger

[Marty Bonnar]

No danger there'll be a swanky development ahent the 18th for the 2010 Open...

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2009/06/23/newsstory13342530t0.asp!

cheers,
FBD.

[Marty Bonnar]

No danger there'll be a swanky development ahent the 18th for the 2010 Open...

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2009/06/23/newsstory13342530t0.asp!

cheers,
FBD.

Much as I hate quoting myself, I may have been wrong. It's been rumoured/reported that Herb Kohler will be the happy owner of Hamilton Hall ere long.

http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/Leading-contender-emerges-for-famous.5636997.jp

'Bout time someone stepped in and rescued the old dear. If he chooses his building Architects as tastefully as he does his golf course ones, Mr K will no doubt make a pretty nice job of the renovation...

FBD.

[Adam Lawrence]

Nothing is as it seems where that building is concerned. Kohler may or may not be in pole position, but a bunch of other bidders are interested too. I am led to believe there is big money Irish interest currently in the lead, but nothing is set in stone.

Adam

[David Kelly]

A big "Building For Sale" sign was up in front of it as of Saturday.

[Tony_Muldoon]

If you missed out on that perhaps this is more suited to you needs. 


If we all club together perhaps we could have a GCA Dormie house?



http://www.savills.co.uk/residentialsearch/propertydetail.aspx?pID=248358#

[Brian_Ewen]

[Colin Macqueen]

Marty,

So Kohler did step up to the mark then?

Cheers Colin

[Brian_Ewen]

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Fife/article/20649/crowning-glory-famous-st-andrews-building-regains-its-dome.html

Crowning glory — famous St Andrews building regains its dome
An iconic St Andrews hotel passed a significant milestone in its restoration journey when a vital missing part of its original Victorian grandeur was put back in place on Wednesday.



The Hamilton Grand, which overlooks the famous Old Course in St Andrews, is the second most photographed building in the world of golf — after the Royal and Ancient (R&A) headquarters in the Fife town. It was once again at the centre of attention as the historic structure was crowned with a brand new dome.

The work is just the latest part of the multi-million redevelopment of what was Hamilton Hall by the Kohler Company, the owners of the luxury Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa who are in the process of transforming the former St Andrews University residence.



While the original dome was replaced with a fibreglass replica after a fire in 1976, the new dome — which has been made in Scotland — is a lead-clad timber frame weighing three-and-a-half tonnes and is designed to be as true as possible to the original structure.



Launched in 1895 as The Grand Hotel, it was the height of luxury — the first building in Scotland to have a pneumatic elevator running between floors as well as hot and cold running water in every bathroom.

The Second World War saw the hotel transformed into training headquarters for the Royal Air Force and it was never to host high society again, with St Andrews University acquiring the building shortly after the war and opening it as a halls of residence under the name Hamilton Hall — serving the student body for around 56 years.

Now though the building — renamed the Hamilton Grand — is being transformed into a collection of 26 homes of distinction: two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments together with a private residents' lounge and function suite as well as a restaurant and bar that aims to become a firm favourite of those visiting the golf world's mecca.



''Our goal is to restore Hamilton Grand and create a dwelling that will make the people of St Andrews proud,'' said Debbie Taylor, president of Kohler's hospitality and real estate group. ''We have been honoured to work with community members throughout this process.

''Hamilton Grand is a unique real estate opportunity for those who want to own a home in the birthplace of golf and a premier destination that is rich in history — the holy grail of golf. We are looking forward to restoring the building using our restoration expertise, and returning a piece of Scottish history to its landmark status.''

Building owner Herb Kohler is understood to have paid around £11.5m for the hall in 2009, guaranteeing some future financial stability for the world famous property overlooking the 18th green and fairway of the Old Course.

[Kalen Braley]

Old Tom would be horrified at such a greedy venture!!   

[Bart Bradley]

Certainly, Mr. Kohler can do as he pleases with a building that he owns.  And surely, saving and restoring this iconic building has merit.  However, I am far from convinced that St. Andrews needed a few more high end luxury condos for the ultra-rich who will spend very little time actually in the town.  I suspect that the lovely old building could have been used for purposes that might have served golf or the town of St. Andrews in a substantially better way. 

Bart

[Kalen Braley]

Bart,

I'm personally shocked and dismayed at your level of cynicsm.  I don't know about you, but when i wake up, I think about how I can make the company's products better so some guy sipping a MaiThai in Mexico will have the stock he's purchased in our company go up by a few bucks so he can buy another yacht.

Forget about the rent or my daughters medical's bills, that 1%'ers 2nd yacht is clearly more important!

[Marty Bonnar]

Certainly, Mr. Kohler can do as he pleases with a building that he owns.  And surely, saving and restoring this iconic building has merit.  However, I am far from convinced that St. Andrews needed a few more high end luxury condos for the ultra-rich who will spend very little time actually in the town.  I suspect that the lovely old building could have been used for purposes that might have served golf or the town of St. Andrews in a substantially better way. 

Bart

Bart,
laudable comments indeed, but the building was ROTTING very badly for many years and would CERTAINLY have died without Mr Kohler's input. Very, VERY few people in Scotland have the kind of wherewithal to be quite so investive. I hear there's a spare knighthood around since fred the shred was emasculated. Lizzie, if you're reading, Sir Herbert of St Andrews has a damn fine ring, old gal!!!
F.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Certainly, Mr. Kohler can do as he pleases with a building that he owns.  And surely, saving and restoring this iconic building has merit.  However, I am far from convinced that St. Andrews needed a few more high end luxury condos for the ultra-rich who will spend very little time actually in the town.  I suspect that the lovely old building could have been used for purposes that might have served golf or the town of St. Andrews in a substantially better way.  Bart

Bart, laudable comments indeed, but the building was ROTTING very badly for many years and would CERTAINLY have died without Mr Kohler's input. Very, VERY few people in Scotland have the kind of wherewithal to be quite so investive. I hear there's a spare knighthood around since fred the shred was emasculated. Lizzie, if you're reading, Sir Herbert of St Andrews has a damn fine ring, old gal!!! F.

Sadly a foreigner (like me) cannot be more than an honorary Knight, which doesn't carry the title.


If Scotland does become independent then  Sir Fred might be the first of many. 

[Marty Bonnar]

Allen Stanford.

cookies crumbling.

F.

[Brian_Ewen]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/st-andrews-old-course-luxury-3270337

St Andrews Old Course luxury flats fail to sell out eight months after going on the market
Mar 22, 2014
By David Taylor
ONLY half of the flats on the doorstep of the Old Course, the cheapest of which costs £1.2million, have been sold to ultra-rich golf fans.

LUXURY flats overlooking the Old Course at St Andrews have failed to sell out eight months after going on the market.

Just half the 26 plush properties at the Hamilton Grand have been snapped up since July.

Prices for the apartments start at £1.2million.

Among those still unsold is the top-floor penthouse – Scotland’s most expensive flat at an eye-watering £7.6million.

The identities of the ultra-rich golf fans who have bought 13 of the properties remain a closely guarded secret, but they are believed to come from as far afield as the USA and the Far East.

The Hamilton Grand was built by Thomas Hamilton over a century ago after the R&A declined his membership application.

He took his revenge by plonking the seven-storey building right on the doorstep of the world’s most famous golf course.

It is now owned by Kohler Co, who also run the five-star Old Course Hotel.

The building retains historic features including a magnificent central staircase and a members’ library. Owners enjoy valet parking and a butler on
call 24 hours a day.

Sales director Helen Parker said: “We are very happy with the progress made on sales of residences at Hamilton Grand.

“We have owners who are moving into the property this spring and summer.

“Over the coming weeks and months, our sales team will be meeting prospective buyers both at home and abroad.”

[Adam Lawrence]

Wouldn't you be a bit peeved at having spent a fortune on a beautiful penthouse and then having to take your place in the Old Course ballot along with the rest of the plebs? Therein lies the problem with all these high end club type projects round St Andrew (I don't think Hamilton Grand gets you a Links ticket; could be wrong though)

[Sean Walsh]

Adam,

If you pay rates and can vote in council elections you'd get a links ticket. Unless they've changed it, and that would have taken an act of parliament i believe.

[Adam Lawrence]

I checked: you can get a Links ticket as a buyer at Hamilton Grand, but you have to be resident for more than six months of the year.

If you're planning to live in St Andrews and you've £7 million to play with, I have to think there's some really beautiful houses you could buy....

[Andy Stamm]

They've opened the waiting list, so anyone can get a links ticket at present (or at least in short order).

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