The historic mansion at the centre of an £80million north-east golf development will be managed by the people in charge of Andy Murray’s Scottish hotel.
The B-listed Ury House, near Stonehaven, is currently in the process of being restored into a clubhouse and hotel complex at the heart of the recently-approved Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course.
The FM Group is behind the redevelopment of the Ury Estate, and also has permission for homes, a supermarket, a 50-bedroom hotel and restaurant at the site.
Yesterday, the developer announced that ICMI would take on the management of Ury House as a 50-room boutique hotel and spa.
They also confirmed they planned to open the venue – which will include a restaurant and conference centre – in 2020.
Ury House will be run be around 80 members of staff. Hotel management company, ICMI, is behind tennis star Mr Murray’s Cromlix Hotel in Dunblane, as well as Inverlochy Castle, Greywalls Hotel and Crossbasket Castle.
It will take on the running of the hotel on behalf of the FM Group.
The mansion has been a feature of the Mearns for centuries and has been rebuilt three times, with the most recent incarnation constructed in 1885. However, it fell into disrepair in the mid-20th century.
Managing director of ICMI, Norbert Lieder, explained: “Ury Estate is going to become one of the UK’s top resorts and the hotel will be its centrepiece.
“Our intention is to develop a location for people who live on the estate, golfers, the local community and visitors from around the world.
“As well as individually-designed bedrooms and suites, there will be a clubhouse, restaurant and conference centre.
“I believe there is a real need for a resort of this quality in the north east. We are already working closely with FM Group on the interior layout, design and customer offer.”
Jonathon Milne, director of FM Group, said: “With Ury Estate, we are looking to create an unrivalled hotel and resort in a unique setting.
“We are confident that ICMI, with its track record at Scotland’s top properties, will help us realise our vision.”