Aria in Action
In the heart of Edinburgh, just moments from Princes Street and with rare views of the Castle, a luxury hotel development is now underway, thanks to a bespoke £31 million bridging solution secured by Aria Finance.
This wasn’t your typical deal. The project involved the acquisition and demolition of three interconnected retail units, the retention of listed façade elements, and the creation of a new high-end hotel, all under tight planning and funding deadlines.
The client, a highly experienced property developer, had already secured two of the three adjoining commercial units and was set on acquiring the final one for £11 million. With full planning consent in place and a vision to transform the site into a luxury hospitality destination, they were ready to move but needed help.
While the developer had a strong track record, they had previously relied on equity and forward funding arrangements. This was their first time securing traditional development finance, and they knew they needed more than just lender introductions they needed a strategic partner.
With a combined loan requirement of £31 million and a loan-to-value of 75%, this case came with serious complexity. The properties included listed elements that would need to be retained, while the remainder of the structures were earmarked for demolition. Add to that a tight completion window and high capital requirements, and it was clear the finance would need to be carefully structured and quickly delivered.
Aria in Action
From the outset, we knew this deal would require a hands-on, collaborative approach. Working closely with the client and their professional team, we carefully structured a £28 million bridging facility at 75% loan-to-value to meet the core funding requirement. In addition, we arranged a £3 million VAT bridge to support the acquisition and demolition costs ensuring the client could move forward without delays.
We engaged early with the lender’s structured real estate team, organising a full site visit and holding regular meetings throughout the process to build confidence and momentum. Every detail, from pricing to term structure, was carefully negotiated to reflect the unique complexity and timeline of the project.
Our focus throughout was to de-risk the process for both the client and the lender building trust through clarity, communication, and senior-level oversight at every stage.
Within just three months of application, the full £31 million funding package was secured. The facility allowed the developer to complete the site assembly, cover all acquisition and VAT requirements, and begin the demolition works with certainty.
This landmark project now moves into its next phase, the creation of a premium hotel in one of Edinburgh’s most iconic and high-profile locations.
And for us, it’s another example of how Aria delivers when the stakes are high, the structures are complex, and the timeline is tight.
Big deals don’t just need funding, they need expertise.
Get in touch if you have a large or complex case that needs intelligent structuring and reliable delivery.
