Following a £35 million transformation, The Caledonian Edinburgh has entered the Curio Collection by Hilton. Reimagined by Cunningham McLean, the hotel’s new identity is rooted in storytelling, with bespoke lighting from British lighting specialist Northern Lights playing a central role in the narrative…
Once part of the original Caledonian Railway station, The Caledonian Edinburgh has unveiled a redesign that pays tribute to the building’s long history while bringing a fresh contemporary character.
At the heart of the transformation is The Court, the hotel’s newly reimagined restaurant, where a striking lighting installation – designed by Cunningham McLean and created by Northern Lights – takes centre stage.
Designed to echo the steam that once filled the station’s grand halls, the feature spans 4 metres high and 7 metres long, with 58 individually assembled opal acrylic globes in graduating sizes arranged along a sweeping golden spine. The redesign marks a new chapter for the landmark property as it joins Hilton’s Curio Collection, blending heritage with modern luxury.
“The light feature above the fixed seating was designed to represent a plume of steam,” explains Penny Simpson, Senior Interior Designer at Cunningham McLean. “It’s a nostalgic nod to the vapour that once filled the platform many years ago.”
Image credit: Pellier Photography
Anchored to the floor and finished in a bespoke sparkle gold, the piece brings a dynamic sense of motion and drama to the space, while radiating soft ambient pools of light.
It is both a sculptural focal point and a subtle tribute to the building’s industrial past – where steam, steel, and grandeur once met.
Image credit: Pellier Photography
From CAD to craft – keeping British-making alive
Before the first globe was assembled or the steel curved into form, the feature piece began as a concept sketch.
Image credit: David Logan / Cunningham McLean
Northern Lights’ design team translated Cunningham McLean’s concept into detailed CAD models and technical drawings for each stage of manufacture. Each component was precision-engineered and assembled by hand, ensuring both technical integrity and emotional resonance.
“Collaborating with Northern Lights was a genuinely rewarding experience, and we’re delighted with the outcome,” Penny adds.
“The design team skilfully translated our initial sketch into meticulously detailed drawings and brought to life a stunning light feature. It’s more than just illumination; it stands as both a sculpture and a piece of art.”
This is true British craftsmanship in action – a rare example of how design integrity and traditional making processes are still flourishing in today’s modern world. It is a collaboration that honours both the legacy of the building and the values of the people who shaped it, blending story, style, and skill into one glowing structure.
Image credit: Northern Lights
Layered luxury in the guest suites
Beyond The Court, Northern Lights supplied over 100 Halsa table lamps from their Signature Collection to The Caledonian Edinburgh’s thoughtfully redesigned bedrooms.
Inspired by tide patterns etched into sand, these ceramic lamps feature tactile, organic forms finished in natural and reactive glazes, adding soft texture and a calming glow to each guest room.
Image credit: Pellier Photography
Where design meets legacy
This project exemplifies the power of collaborative design and the importance of preserving artisanal British manufacturing. Northern Lights and Cunningham McLean have created lighting that doesn’t just illuminate – it resonates in a celebration of place, craftsmanship, history and imagination.
Want to know about the craftsmanship and materiality behind Northern Lights designs? Sit down for an HD Sofa Session with the brand’s Managing Director and Head of Design to find out more…
Northern Lights is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Pellier Photography
