Clark Contracts has been appointed to complete the refurbishment of 11-13 South St Andrews Street in Edinburgh City Centre, transforming it into a new capsule hotel for TARKA.

The development, situated just off St Andrew Square, is inspired by the Japanese capsule hotel concept and aims to provide "comfortable yet compact capsules with a contemporary feel" for a UK audience, according to TARKA. The project involves retrofitting a vacant mixed-use building that previously housed a job centre, office space, and retail units.

The new hotel will span seven stories and feature 242 beds, along with a rooftop Japanese restaurant and bar offering views of Calton Hill, Edinburgh Castle, and the Firth of Forth.


The project is being led by architect and principal designer Studio LBA, in collaboration with Axiom Project Services (project management and quantity surveying), Studio S+CO (interior designer), Narro (civil and structural engineer), Derek Scott Planning (planning consultants), Parrish Consultancy (M&E engineer), OFR Consultants (fire engineer), and RMP (acoustic engineer).

James Scott, founder of TARKA Hotels, said: "TARKA was born from our experiences staying in capsule hotels during visits to Japan—trips that sparked a real passion to bring this modern, affordable accommodation concept to the UK. We aim to redefine the traditional hostel by offering quiet, private pods that strike the perfect balance between the cost-efficiency of hostels and the comfort and design of modern hotels. TARKA is built with urban travellers, tourists, and business guests in mind—prioritising affordability, central locations, and sleek, smart design."

Gerry Cummins, Director of Clark Contracts, added: "We're excited to be partnering with TARKA on this landmark hotel project in the heart of Edinburgh and are thrilled to be growing our hospitality portfolio with such a high-profile development. We look forward to collaborating closely with TARKA and the design team to deliver an outstanding facility."