Short-term let conversion proposed inside 46 Charlotte Square

A prominent listed building on Charlotte Square could be altered internally to create a short-term holiday let.

The proposal concerns 46 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4HQ, on one of the New Town’s best-known squares and close to the east end of Princes Street. The application is for listed building consent, reflecting the protected status of the property and the need for council approval before works affecting the building’s listed character can go ahead.

The planned change is internal. The application description is: “Internal alterations to form a short term let.” The planning summary indicates that office space would be reshaped for visitor accommodation, with en-suites and a kitchen added.

What is proposed

The application seeks permission for internal alterations at 46 Charlotte Square to form a short-term let.

The works are described as internal rather than external. In practical terms, the proposal would change how part of the building is laid out and used, moving from office accommodation towards short-term visitor accommodation.

Key elements identified in the planning information include:

• internal alterations within the listed building;
• formation of a short-term let;
• addition of en-suite facilities;
• addition of a kitchen;
• works at 46 Charlotte Square, EH2 4HQ.

No decision has been issued. The application status is listed as “Awaiting Assessment”.

The site: 46 Charlotte Square

Charlotte Square is one of Edinburgh’s most recognisable Georgian set pieces, forming part of the city centre’s historic New Town. Number 46 sits in a highly visible and sensitive location, where changes to buildings are often closely watched because of the area’s architectural and heritage importance.

The web-search context identifies 46 Charlotte Square as a traditional A-listed townhouse, arranged over basement, ground and three upper floors. It is also within a conservation area. That means even internal works can require careful scrutiny where they may affect historic fabric, plan form, finishes, or the special architectural interest of the building.

The address is also commercially significant. Charlotte Square and the surrounding streets contain a mix of offices, cultural venues, hospitality uses, visitor accommodation and high-value residential property. Changes from office use to short-term accommodation in this part of the city can therefore attract interest beyond immediate neighbours.

Why this matters

This is not a large redevelopment, and the proposal is not for a new building. Its significance comes from the combination of location, heritage status and use.

Short-term lets remain a sensitive planning issue in Edinburgh, particularly in central areas with pressure from tourism, housing demand, commercial uses and local amenity concerns. A proposal to create a short-term let inside a listed Charlotte Square property is likely to be of interest to nearby residents, businesses, heritage bodies and anyone following city centre land-use change.

The listed building angle is also important. Listed building consent is not only about whether a use is acceptable; it focuses on the impact of physical works on the character of the listed building. Internal alterations can matter where they affect original layouts, decorative features, staircases, fireplaces, doors, cornices, plasterwork or other historic elements.

For neighbours and local businesses, the main points of interest are likely to be the proposed use and how the altered space would operate. For heritage watchers, the central question is whether the proposed internal changes preserve the building’s listed character.

Planning context

The application is recorded under the “Change of Use & Conversions” category and tagged as involving a listed building, internal alterations, office space and a short let.

Because the application is for listed building consent, the council’s assessment will focus on the proposed physical works and their effect on the special architectural or historic interest of the building. Where a proposal also involves a material change of use, separate planning permission can sometimes be required, but the current application reference provided is for listed building consent.

The application was received on 29 May 2026 and validated on 8 June 2026. It remains awaiting assessment by the City of Edinburgh Council.

What to look for in the documents

Anyone reviewing the application should check the drawings and supporting material for how the internal layout would change.

Useful points to look for include:

• which rooms would be altered;
• where en-suites and kitchen facilities would be installed;
• whether walls, doors, ceilings, fireplaces or decorative features are affected;
• how services such as plumbing and ventilation would be routed;
• whether any changes are visible from the outside;
• how the proposed short-term let would be arranged within the wider building.

Those details are important because the public description is brief, while the drawings usually show the practical extent of the work.

What happens next

City of Edinburgh Council will assess the listed building consent application before issuing a decision. Until that decision is made, the proposal remains under consideration.

Residents, local businesses and interested parties can search for the case on the City of Edinburgh Council planning portal using the address or the planning reference.

The planning reference is 26/02313/LBC.