Work begins to make grand vision reality

The Courier, 9 September 2006

Work is to begin on transforming one of the most well-known buildings in St Andrews into an exclusive golf and sporting club.

The firm behind the conversion of Hamilton Hall into the St Andrews Grand announced yesterday it had completed the acquisition of the red sandstone building which overlooks the first tee and 18th green of the Old Course.

Wasserman Real Estate Capital said interior restoration work would begin immediately and exterior renovations would start in October, following the Dunhill Links Championship.

David Wasserman, a principal of the US firm, said, “We are pleased to serve as the new custodians of this timeless treasure.”

The 111-year-old building will be converted into 23 luxury holiday apartments, for which timeshares are being marketed at between £750,000 and £1.9 million.

Only 115 “members” will be accepted to the club—among them US golfer Phil Mickelson, who has signed up as a founder member.

Hamilton Hall, formerly a hotel, was latterly a hall of residence for the University of St Andrews. University principal Dr Brian Lang said, “We are delighted to have been able to conclude a deal with Wasserman Real Estate Capital to ensure the future of this iconic St Andrews property and its place at the home of golf.

“Although Hamilton Hall has for many years fulfilled a very important function for the University of St Andrews as a hall of residence, it is not a modern property, is not ideally suited for student residence purposes and did not form part of what we regarded as our irreducible core of historic properties.

“Proceeds from this sale are allowing us to provide new state of the art residences with many more beds than were available in Hamilton Hall and to fund significant investment in teaching and research infrastructure.”

Wasserman Real Estate, which also has a share in Kingsbarns Golf Club, said it intended to restore the building to its original design and preserve its historic profile in the St Andrews community.

Inside, its elaborate staircase, stained glass windows, pine balustrades and carved newel posts are to be removed, restored and returned to their original positions.

Exterior renovations will include the restoration of a forgotten corner entrance and a prominent roof-top cupola that was destroyed by fire in the 1970s.

Work is expected to be complete in mid-2008.

Development of the St Andrews Grand was given the go-ahead by Fife Council last June, despite concerns about potential traffic problems in the area and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club questioning the scheme’s viability.