Golf’s Trophy Home

The 150th Open Championships returns tomorrow to the Old Course; the 30th time this world-famous championship has taken place in St Andrews with private residences, Hamilton Grand, which overlooks the 18th hole, taking a front row seat to the action. Notably, Tiger Woods has now been added to the line-up; and during the week, Jack Nicklaus, who has won the tournament twice in St Andrews, is being made Honorary Citizen of St Andrews by The Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council.

Possessing a rich history, and renowned for its appearance in the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire, its unparalleled views of the golf course, the Royal and Ancient Golf Clubhouse and West Sands beach, Hamilton Grand was first built as a hotel over a century ago in 1895 by Thomas Hamilton. It was significantly the first hotel in Scotland to boast hot and cold running water in each bedroom, and the first with an elevator. During the Second World War, the hotel was used as the training headquarters for the RAF and later bought by the University of St Andrews and inhabited as a hall of residence for 56 years. In its more recent incarnation, the Victorian red sandstone building was purchased by one of America's oldest and largest privately held companies, Kohler Co. in 2009, which is best known for its plumbing products, and converted into 27 luxury flats.

Only two of the 27 properties remain unsold, priced at £4.1m (Apartment 24) and £2.829m (Apartment 26) respectively, both with two-bedrooms, and exceptional views - the former is an apartment with a white box finish, and a dedicated sitting area, situated in the building's iconic turret. The latter is a show apartment boasting impeccable contemporary interior design with Scottish accents, by Glasgow-based OCCA Design, with an entrance that extends into an open-plan living-kitchen-dining area with fireplace, as well as a Juliet balcony.

Earlier this year, in February, one of the two-bedroom apartments set a record, when it was purchased for £4 million. This served as a proof point that international buyers are returning to the Scottish property market after a pandemic-led slump, when the average price of a two-bedroom flat in Edinburgh, usually the most expensive housing market in Scotland, is £300,000.

Properties in St Andrews are coveted for many other reasons other than golf, including the town's historic legacy. It is home to Scotland's oldest university and the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, which as the centre of Christianity in Scotland for hundreds of years, and was a pilgrimage destination in medieval times.

Jamie Macnab, Head of Edinburgh Country Houses at Savills comments on the world renown and magic of St Andrews: “These apartments, overlooking the 18th green of the prestigious Old Course in St Andrews, represent the very last opportunity to buy one of the best addresses for golf lovers world-wide. Hamilton Grand has attracted buyers from all over the world, and these apartments truly stand on top of the prime property market in the Scotland. The town will host the 150th Open Championship in July this year, and there has been renewed interest in recent months from those buying with that in mind. The views, over the 18th green of the Old Course, the Royal and Ancient Golf Clubhouse and the West Sands Beach and out to sea, are truly beyond comparison.”

Residents of Hamilton Grand have access to 24-hour butler service and valet parking as well as use of a private residents' lounge with original sweeping staircase on the ground floor and a communal roof terrace with stunning views across the Old Course and the Fife coastline. Additional perks include spa access for two at the town's Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, which is also owned by Kohler. All properties are available on a freehold basis, with a rental management programme offered.

The residences are managed by the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, which features Kohler Waters Spa and Fitness Centre including a 20-metre swimming pool and rooftop hot tub, and priority dining at the hotel as well as valet parking, private chefs and full housekeeping services.

Also, just minutes away and in contrast to the seven links courses is the Kohler-owned, The Duke's, one of the UK's heathland marvels. The magnificent Kingsbarns and Castle courses have also added to the caché of St Andrews. There are also more than 20 courses of great antiquity and beauty within a 20-minute drive of the town.

www.hamiltongrand.co.uk