August 14 2020

Moves are underway to demolish a historic hotel in Ayr's town centre conservation area following a damning structural survey.

Smith Architecture is proposing the hand demolition of the former Royal Hotel on Kyle Street, leaving only the foundations in place to protect the structural integrity of neighbouring properties.

Upon completion, the basement will be filled with imported crushed demolition material and the site levelled in anticipation of future development.

This follows a feasibility study which calculated a full demolition and new build cost of £1.2m - versus facade retention alternatives in the order of £1.5m.

A detailed structural survey has identified significant defects in the building including a failed roof structure, loose stonework and eroded lintels.

The future of the B-listed Ayr Station hotel also currently hangs in the balance after being served a dangerous building notice by South Ayrshire Council.

3 Comments

#1 Posted by Honky Tonk Man on 14 Aug 2020 at 11:34 AM

You would think the government would stump up the £300k difference to retain the facade and the local character. The government has wasted far more on far worse building projects.

#2 Posted by Fush And Chups on 14 Aug 2020 at 12:55 PM

#1 I would rather they saved the money for the aforementioned Ayr Station hotel.

This looks a rather ordinary building. While I agree it’s a shame it couldn’t be saved I think a decent new build would fit in here just fine.

#3 Posted by Check the content on 19 Aug 2020 at 10:17 AM

If you read the "detailed" structural survey it seems to have only been carried from outside the building at street level. Some of the comments relating to the structural condition are conjecture. If conservation area consents mean anything then there should at least be a thorough examination of the basis on the demolition before another historic building is lost through neglect.

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