Visitors to St Andrews will be able to enjoy the most famous view in golf from some of the most luxurious accommodation in the country after Macdonald Hotels were this week granted planning permission for a 44-suite extension to the Rusacks Hotel, overlooking the 18th green at The Old Course.
The £7m extension to the 128-year-old hotel in the ‘Home of Golf‘ will also include a rooftop restaurant, bar and terrace, as well as glass-fronted suites allowing visitors to witness up-close the grandeur of golf’s most historic course.
Macdonald Hotels deputy chairman Gordon Fraser warmly welcomed the planning decision: “This is a tremendously positive announcement for our company and for St Andrews, which will give visitors to the town world-class ‘5 Red Star’ accommodation.
“This development will set a new benchmark for luxury in St Andrews, attracting many new visitors every year from all over the world and bringing new jobs and major benefits to the local economy.
“We’ve owned the Macdonald Rusacks since 2001 and are especially conscious of being custodians of one of golf’s most famous locations so will be developing the site with the utmost sensitivity.
“Many of the world’s most famous golfers have stayed with us when playing The Old Course and only this summer U.S. Open winner Justin Rose described his suite as ‘the best room in golf’.
“Indeed, the balconies at the Macdonald Rusacks have often been described as having ‘the best views in world golf’ and our design will carefully blend the iconic location with the most luxuriously-appointed accommodation.
“We’ll now enter the next stages of the planning process and anticipate beginning work during 2016.”
Macdonald Hotels will invest £7million in the development, with 44 spacious suites which range from 350 – 475 sq. ft. and a rooftop restaurant for 145 diners, building on the success of the 3 AA Rosette ‘Rocca’ restaurant operated by Adrian and Susan Pieraccini.
The new restaurant, bar and 1,050sq ft roof terrace will all offer spectacular views over the Old Course and the West Sands, additions which the company is confident will achieve ‘5 Red Star’ status for the Macdonald Rusacks Hotel.
Stephen Gallacher, member of the winning 2014 European Ryder Cup Team and golf ambassador for Macdonald Hotels, said: “I’ve seen the plans for this fantastic development at the Macdonald Rusacks Hotel and they are stunning. The group is committed to developing a truly world-class hotel in keeping with its fabulous location, overlooking the most famous hole on the most famous golf course in the world.”
The extension to the hotel, which will also provide valet car parking on the lower ground floor, has been designed by Scottish firm WCP Architects and will be built using traditional materials in keeping with its location in the historic town of St Andrews.
Macdonald Hotels www.MacdonaldHotels.co.uk