Macdonald Rusacks to get £7m extension

• Macdonald Hotels granted £7m extension of the Rusacks
• The St Andrews hotel will boast ‘the most famous view in golf’
• Construction expected to get underway at some point in 2016

By the time the next Open Championship at St Andrews comes around, there’ll be a whole new view surrounding the 18th green as Macdonald Hotels were this week granted planning permission to extend the Rusacks Hotel.

The £7m, 44-suite extension to the 128-year-old hotel at the Home of Golf will showcase the ‘most famous view in golf’ and will also include a rooftop restaurant, bar and terrace, as well as glass-fronted suites allowing visitors to witness the historic Old Course up close.

Unsurprisingly, the planning decision has been warmly welcomed by Macdonald Hotels’ deputy chairman Gordon Fraser, who believes the new development will raise the bar for luxury in the town.

“This development will set a new benchmark for luxury in St Andrews” – Gordon Fraser

“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,” he said. “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.

“Many of the world’s most famous golfers have stayed with us when playing the Old Course and only this summer US 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.”

CONTINUES BELOW…

The rooftop restaurant.

The 44 new suites at the Rusacks, which Macdonald Hotels have owned since 2001, will range from 350-475 sq ft, while the rooftop restaurant is fit for 145 diners and will aim to build on the success of the three AA Rosette ‘Rocca’ restaurant operated by Adrian and Susan Pieraccini.

Add into that the 1,050 sq ft roof terrace offering spectacular views of the Old Course and West Sands and the company believes it will achieve ‘5 Red Star’ status, a view echoed by European Ryder Cup star Stephen Gallacher.

“I’ve seen the plans for this fantastic development and they are stunning” – Stephen Gallacher

“I’ve seen the plans for this fantastic development and they are stunning,” said Gallacher, a Macdonald Hotels ambassador. “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. Construction work is expected to begin at some point in 2016.

The Old Course :: A different view

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