Breathing new life into hospitality spaces: adapting existing buildings for modern guests

Buildings With Character

Existing and historic buildings offer something that a new-build property can rarely replicate: a genuine sense of place. Their architecture, materials and stories can become a defining part of the guest experience. However, character alone does not create a high performing hospitality business. These buildings must also work efficiently, meet modern standards and support the operator’s commercial ambitions.

Assessing The Building

The first step is to understand the building properly. A detailed assessment of its condition, fabric, layout and constraints can reveal both risks and opportunities before major investment decisions are made. Early input from architects and building surveyors helps owners establish what should be retained, what needs to be upgraded and where intervention could unlock greater value.

Balancing Heritage and Modern Requirements

Preserving character does not mean preserving every historic compromise. At Islay House, for example, the transformation of a 17th-century country house into a boutique hotel required sensitive restoration alongside modern heating, reliable hot water, Wi-Fi coverage and improvements to fire safety, accessibility and thermal comfort. The most successful adaptations introduce these essentials without allowing them to overwhelm the building’s original identity.

Increasing Commercial Value

Existing spaces can also be made to work harder. Redundant rooms, awkward circulation and underused external areas may offer opportunities for additional bedrooms, improved food and beverage spaces, events, wellness facilities or more effective back-of-house operations. At Dunkeld House Hotel, remodelling created three additional bedroom suites, strengthening the hotel’s luxury offer. At Fonab Castle, a wider masterplan explored additional accommodation while addressing operational issues including office provision, parking, traffic noise and the guest arrival experience.

These decisions should always be viewed through a commercial lens. A well-planned project can increase revenue-generating space, improve operational efficiency, reduce future maintenance liabilities and strengthen the long-term value of the asset. Building surveying advice is particularly important here, helping owners prioritise investment and avoid expensive surprises once work begins.

Helping You Bring Your Hospitality Space to Life

At GLM, we believe the best hospitality projects do more than protect a building’s past, they give it a viable future. We believe that combining character, comfort and functionality to create memorable places that perform for guests, operators and owners alike.

If you are considering an upgrade, renovation or purchase of a new asset, please reach out. As the existing building specialists with 30 years of experience in hospitality, our team are well positioned to help you unlock more value from your building.