AJ Capital Partners Acquires Macdonald Rusacks Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland
Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners announced today that it has acquired the Macdonald Rusacks Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland. The 70-key hotel will begin pre-construction design and architectural work in November 2019 and will undergo complete renovations starting spring 2020. Once completed in summer 2021, the reimagined hotel will debut with an additional 44 keys and a rooftop bar and restaurant overlooking the 18th hole of the Old Course at St Andrews and the historic Swilcan Bridge. This marks the second acquisition by AJ Capital from the Macdonald Hotels & Resorts portfolio in addition to the Randolph Hotel in Oxford, England, which upon renovation will join the Graduate Hotels® collection.
Situated in an unmatched location, the hotel features panoramic views of the world's oldest golf course and the nearby North Sea. The quaint coastal region of North East Fife offers charming seaside villages, St Andrews University and an array of museums and cultural happenings, including the British Golf Museum and ruins of St Andrews Castle, in addition to a renowned 600 years of world-class golf history. Considered the "Home of Golf," St Andrews boasts ten highly respected golf courses, including the iconic Old Course, which regularly hosts the British Open Championship. Situated 50 miles from Edinburgh Airport, the city offers visitors a variety of transportation options to and from cities throughout the United Kingdom.
"St Andrews is one of the most iconic destinations in the world, and our team is honored to embark upon bringing our unique approach to hospitality to this incredibly historic and inspiring community," said Ben Weprin, CEO and Founder of AJ Capital Partners. "We look forward to creating an experience for both guests and locals alike that celebrates and commemorates St Andrews' storied past for years to come."
Design throughout the Rusacks Hotel will take inspiration from the centuries of St Andrews history, as well as the destination's lush, coastal positioning and the city's legendary golf tradition. Guests can expect rich fabrics, dynamic plaids and warm hues, complemented with distinct architectural details that honor the property's unique past. The energy and spirit of golf legend Old Tom Morris will be felt throughout the hotel with both playful and subdued nods that encourage visitors to uncover the tales of the sport's greats and their storied victories.
The hotel will undergo comprehensive renovations of the existing 70 guestrooms, three food and beverage concepts and nearly 1,300 sq. ft. of meetings and event space. Additionally, AJ Capital Partners plans to complete a 42,000 sq. ft. expansion of the hotel with plans to add 44 room keys and a 3,000 sq. ft. rooftop bar overlooking the Old Course and historic Swilcan Bridge. The project is expected to be completed in time for the 150th Open Championship in July 2021.
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