Bout time we had a thread for this bit of the country to go with the existing Dundee, Edinburgh and Stirling threads. Pit yir Aiberdeen news here.

I'm not a regular visitor to this fine city so maybe a better informed local might want to fill us in on the latest city centre developments. I would have thought there might be some interesting stuff going on in a city of Aberdeen's size.

However, three recent stories spring to mind when i think about developments in the Aberdeen.

First: there's the controversial Donald Trump Golfcourse and Luxury Resort plans (http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/default.asp). The latest is that following Aberdeenshire Council's rejection of The Donald's planning application, the Holyrood Government have swung in with a view to overriding the Council's decision. Here's The Herald (http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1881097.0.0.php) story. What do we make of this? It sounds like he wants to build a latterday Gleneagles up there. Something in me wants to lash out at the scale and opulence of his plans, it sounds distasteful, like something built in Dubai, but given that tourism is one of the biggest sectors of the Scottish Economy should councils be doing more to encourage this level of investment?

Second: Aberdeen has the fastest growing airport in Scotland. One story I noticed recently was a business class only carrier will soon start up a service between Aberdeen and Houston Texas. Anybody know of any other long haul routes from Aberdeen starting up soon?

Third, there's a story in The Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football-news/scottish-football/2007/12/05/aberdeen-plan-to-move-to-30-000-seat-stadium-86908-20205119/) today that Aberdeen FC are looking again at plans for a new 30,000 seater stadium not far from their current, atmospheric Pittodrie home

Humour or not, I think you should have spelt Aberdeen correctly in the actual thread title if you want this to become a quasi-official thread for this region.

coming from this area and knowing it well i hope trump fucks off. what i dont understand is why he wants to build it there. he says its because its such a beautiful place - but surely if its beautiful then itll be ruined by him building it.
he also bangs on about his scottish heritage and yet the moment something doesnt go right starts looking to northern ireland. very nice mr trump. im writing about this now by the way....

No no no no no.

Trumps golf course will, quite literally, save the North East of Scotland.


What are Aberdeen City and Shire councils looking at doing just now over all others? Diversification of income, moving on from the fact that the oil will not last forever. Some may say they have started 20 years too late, and judging by the state of current financial services, retail and transport sectors I would have to agree.

So, for all focus must still obviously be put on the Oil industry (heartened by the recent discovery of oil reserves in the Gulf of Mexico that were before unreachable with older technology), a large amount of attention must be diverted to the area's other primary potential money maker: Tourism, and in particular, the hallowed, "Scotch" game of Golf. This development has the unrivaled potential to bring the Worlds richest people to spend outrageous amounts of money that would normally only be expected by the richest of Oil developers.

The scope for not only increased local spending, but National advertisement is quite simply enormous. This will, without doubt, attract Celebrities, the Rich list and Sports Personalities from all over the world, putting, for good or for bad, Scotland on the map of places to go when you have more money to spend than you have working brain cells.

Now I must clarify: I don't care less who comes to Aberdeen, how they get there, how much of a awful or superficial they are, whatever. I don't intend ever playing, or even trying to play, or stay at this resort. And I know Trump is a ruthless customer, dangerously slippy and a nightmare to deal with, but the potential money this could bring is possibly more than all the existing touristic and golf attractions in the North East combined. Missing out on an influx of wealth previously unknown to the Scottish economy would be disastrous.

Just because they want to build a pretty exuberant and pretty tacky resort on some "scientifically valuable land", it is utterly no reason to stop the creation of the region's only future lifeline. And scientific-schmific: there's tons of land around that area and across Scotland to be examined - that patch, while perhaps of relative interest to geologists, is not important enough to cut out $Billions of investment from around the world.

Put things into perspective here. Yes, Trump is an awful character, and yes, the development isn't particularly tasteful, but do you want there to be an Aberdeen worth visiting in 40 years time? If so, Foreign Direct Investment is Utterly essential, and this FDI is a one in a million chance of such magnitude that it will not come around again.

^Well put.

^^indeed

If this doesn't go through it will send out the message Scotland is not a good place to do business. And it's not as if he's proposing a nuclear power plant - its a freakin golf course.

What I find a bit spurious is this claim that 1500 dwellings have to be built 'so he can pay for the golf course'...really?!

The property development is just him squeezing as much out of it as he can and I think he has every right to, he is willing to put huge sums of money into this project.

I applaud the government's decision to call this in, the knock back goes against Salmond's Scotland is open for business pitch and Scotland can not afford to knock this investment back, particularly the North East for all the reasons listed by Boy David. I hope it goes ahead.

I applaud the government's decision to call this in, the knock back goes against Salmond's Scotland is open for business pitch and Scotland can not afford to knock this investment back, particularly the North East for all the reasons listed by Boy David. I hope it goes ahead.

This sets a potentially dangerous precedent for the Goverment.

We already have defined process for dealing with a planning refusal - its called a 'Planning Appeal' and it should remain within the confines of current legislation.

indeed why should trump be the only person in the world who doesnt have his project go to an appeal and then public inquiry? if he does not itll be berkeley vs lots road all over again except this time the developer will lose because there has been no proper ministerial oversight.

It's this sort of small-town thinking that got Scotland and the UK into such a mess in the first place.

It's all about who's getting what isn't it?: "Oh, can't have him making money, not without me getting something, or at least deriding him and his ambition for proposing something we cannot."

It's so petty. The Scottish attitude towards other people's success and ambition is pathetic. Any spark (from school onwards) is criticized by everyone around them, 'cos they're getting above their station.

Rules, precedents, regulations. Blah blah blah. So it's important to have them, but if we stuck to them every time a big investment opportunity came around we'd still be in the blooming stone-age.

Loosen up and shrug off the Scottish or UK way of thinking. As Trump's spokesman said after the development was turned down by the council:

"All this shows is that if you want to do big business, don't do it in the North East of Scotland"

And I tell you what, with nay-saying attitudes like the council displayed, and those above this post, I can tell he's right.

What an embarrassment.

how is it small town thinking to make trump jump through the same plannign hoops as every other development in the entire country whether in aberdeen or london?

how is it small town thinking to make trump jump through the same plannign hoops as every other development in the entire country whether in aberdeen or london?
That's just it! Make him jump through HOOPS?!

I'm not sure you realise just how important this investment will be to the north east!

HOOPS?! That's exactly what I was just talking about.... there should be no hoops here! It's not as if the hotel is shaped like a bloody Swastika, is it? The plans are not bad enough to need to jump through anything, considering what they represent.

here fuckin here Davey. I'm voting you next time!

This is nothing more than snobbery, if it was Prince Charles who wanted to do it that feckin Local Authority would be up at Balmoral wiping his arse with their planning consents. Trump is an arrogant American tosser, but so what - its not as if Scotland or any other nation has a shortage of them. For you to infer, Gothic, that Trump is somehow circumventing the planning process is simply not true, the Scottish Government has stepped in now because a Local Authority has made a decision out of disdain for Trump which affects the entire nation.

Gothic's right. I actually didn't have an opinion one way or another on Trump's proposal but whether we like it or not the law is the law and this move by the Scottish Government (I still think Executive sounds so much better) sets a highly unusual precedent in Scottish planning law. If it was a national development it should have been declared as such in the first place. If we as a nation wanted it so badly we should have had our act together rather than making it up as we go along.

I don't have a problem per se with Trump but he should be treated in the eyes of the law the same as anyone else. What he was proposing was a departure from the local plan and was evaluated as such. The UK planning system is discretionary and you take your chances. That is the risk. Like it or not because it wasn't declared as a national development the councillors had the last word.

If Aberdeen as a local authority was meant to be planning effectively for a post oil future it should have had an effective strategy in place before now rather than hanging their hat on a passing Billionaire who came along by chance.

This whole thing reflects very badly on us as a nation and it stinks. No one is coming away clean from this. Trump's organisation (who are hardly squeaky clean and by all accounts have some pretty odious business practices in the states such as not paying contractors) have come across as inflexible and their conduct is a little on the bullying side for my taste, Aberdeen council are looking incompetent, and the Scottish Government appear to be making it up on the hoof.

Given that Salmond has had meetings with Trump, and I've heard that Swinney stayed in one of his hotels in the states last week this call in looks pretty dubious. As a Scot I find the whole thing highly embarassing.

If we want people to invest in our country we need to get our act together. Proactive not reactive please.

Actually, I can't disagree with any of that^

This whole thing reflects very badly on us as a nation and it stinks. No one is coming away clean from this. Trump's organisation (who are hardly squeaky clean and by all accounts have some pretty odious business practices in the states such as not paying contractors) have come across as inflexible and their conduct is a little on the bullying side for my taste, Aberdeen council are looking incompetent, and the Scottish Government appear to be making it up on the hoof.

...Proactive not reactive please.

particularly that part^

You know though there have been comments that Scots are being made mugs of by Trump here and that the only benefits for locals will be jobs washing dishes for rich tourists which is hardly a economic step up from having professionals in Oil industry HQ's... I'd still rather have this development than not have anything. If it goes to Northern Ireland we're just going to look like idiots.

That said I can't understand Trump's inflexibilty. It just smacks of arrogance. The SSSI was only a part of the site. Why not just avoid it and remove the environmental angle from the picture? It would have made life a lot easier and rebellions by councillors less likely. That would have been win win.

The irony in all this is that the one person Trump couldn't afford to offend was Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure committee chairman Martin Ford. The guy is an environmentalist with a degree in botany! It should have been obvious which way he'd vote! Trumps organisation should have known that and made allowances.

Well Trump knows that he can play us (SCotland) against each other (N.I.) for his $billions, but its a fair point, he could have accomodated the changes needed to negate the environmental argument

thats precisely what i was trying to explain gweilo. youve done it much more elegantly than me :)

what bothers me isnt so much that its been refused, trump could appeal. if that fails then ministers can call it in for a public inquiry. what bothers me is they want to skip the appeal and public inquiry... why? regardless of the rights and wrongs, trump's resort deserves the exact same hearing as any other project in the country. if it does not get this then the green lobby will force a judicial review and win easily.

what trump is failing to do is what pretty much every developer does. if they are serious about a project and get knocked back then they revise it. trump, despite boasting about his scottish roots and how much he loves the area is now revealed as someone who couldnt care less where it was built as long as he gets his own way.

instead, what we are seeing is what appears to him having priveleged access to scottish ministers that is not available to most and them looking like taking decisions that are *very* dubious. salmond is bitching about sleaze right now... he wont know what hits him if this is approved without going through the system properly because the green lobby will have his guts for garters.

good points all round.

Swinney might well have made a major boo boo by staying at Trump's hotel, I'm very surprised at his naivety. I'm not sure though if the green lobby will be a louder voice than those in favour of the development: £1 Billion of investment is an incredible figure. I imagine Salmond knows how this will sound to his constituents (I might be wrong but he is the local MSP?) if some small bit councillor wants to play the hero by defying Trump's global conglomerate, hence his decision to step in.

EDIT: Just seen this story (http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1884573.0.swinney_to_take_decision_on_golf_resort_but_trump_faces_wait.php) in The Herald. Ministers 'calling in' a plannning decision is not unprecedented and actually seems to happen regularly. I'm not sufficiently familiar with the ins and outs of this case if what has happened with the Trump plan is different to any of the other items that have been called in.

usually it happens after the developer loses an appeal unless of course the project has been designated nationally important (which it hasnt). trump is actually refusing to appeal against the decision and is refusing to compromise his plans in any way. it IS unprecedented for a developer to not want to appeal and yet still get a public inquiry.

"What was unusual in this case was the response of the applicant to refuse to follow either course. In effect he issued an ultimatum to the council, that we pass the whole plan immediately".

Well, in line with the current sleazeball trends that are fashionable right now, lets see if a couple of million quid appearing mysteriously in a few ministers' bank accounts might concentrate their minds and help them to make a decision.

Aberdeenshire county council have 'overwhelmingly' backed this scheme. The councillor who chose to block the scheme with his deciding vote has been sacked.

What a load of nonsense. Trump is wanting to build 1500 houses on what is effectively a nature reserve. The idea that he is promoting this as building a golf course is smoke and mirrors. He is building 1500 houses. Any development of that scale will have amenities such as a golf course. Any other developer would be laughed out of town and told to build your 1500 houses somewhere suitable. Im sure there must be land available in or directly on the edge of Aberdeen for 1500 houses if thats what he wants to build. Developments of this type are exactly the ones that should be getting knocked back. cant he build 2 or 3 apartments blocks in Aberdeen for his 1500 units so we can keep the Scottish scenery as nature intended instead of building glorified housing estates over them.

Principal be damned. Poor councillor Ford.... read it and weep. The stench around this application only increases:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7139605.stm

The councillor whose casting vote saw Donald Trump's plans for a £1bn golf resort rejected has been sacked as the committee's chairman.
Aberdeenshire councillors voted 26 to 10 to unseat Councillor Martin Ford as chairman of the infrastructure services committee at an emergency meeting.

He said it sent out the "wrong message" on the planning system's integrity.

Councillors gave overwhelming support to the Trump plans, though the decision now rests with the Scottish Government.

Many councillors abstained from voting on Mr Ford's position as chairman.

It was also decided that future planning applications of regional or national significance will go to the full council for a final decision

The controversial planning application was "called in" by the Scottish Government after being rejected by the council committee.

Mr Trump said afterwards he was extremely encouraged by the support shown, and very grateful.

Mr Trump's spokesman George Sorial had warned failure by Aberdeenshire Council to endorse £1bn golf resort plans on Wednesday would put the entire project in jeopardy.

Mr Sorial said the show of support was a "very big step in the right direction" and reflected the views of the people of Aberdeenshire.

He denied there was any pressure from the Trump Organisation and he said the pressure had come from the people of Aberdeenshire themselves.

Mr Ford reacted afterwards: "I am naturally disappointed it's ended up like this.

"It sends out absolutely the wrong message about the integrity of the planning system."

Leader of the SNP group on Aberdeenshire Council, Joanna Strathdee, said: "Aberdeenshire Council needs to restore the confidence of the business and wider community in the planning process and show the world that North East Scotland really is open for business and serious about inward investment.

"I have worked with Cllr Ford for over eight years now and he has my utmost respect.

"However, as chair of one of the most important and powerful committees in the council charged with the economic development of the North East, it was clear that Cllr Ford's position was untenable."

The full meeting did not have the power to reconsider or overturn the controversial decision to refuse US tycoon Mr Trump's application to build a golf course and luxury homes at the Menie Estate near Balmedie.

Mr Ford's casting ballot - after a tied area committee vote - led to an angry reaction from many business and tourism leaders.

He told BBC Scotland last week that he had no intention of stepping down as chairman of the committee.

Mr Trump's plans had been criticised by some environmental groups and local campaigners.

The Scottish Government has called in the golf resort application, which it said is of national significance and should therefore not be decided by a local council.

Love the Sprial Balconies... very futuristic i must say. :)


BD (http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=725&storycode=3102528&c=2&encCode=000000000141659d)

Schmidt Hammer Lassen wins planning for Aberdeen University library

Danish practice Schmidt Hammer Lassen has won planning approval for its £60 million library for the University of Aberdeen.

The firm’s design for the 10 storey building, which will include exhibition and event space and a café, beat rival proposals from the likes of O’Donnell & Tuomey and MacCormac Jamieson Pritchard in a limited international competition last year.

The 20,000 sq m rectangular structure, boasting a white transparent facade that will be illuminated at night, will include a showcase of rare books that will take the form of a double height cube in the building’s atrium.

The showcase, which will double up as a reading room, will link the public space on the ground floor to the stacks in the basement below.

Morton Schmidt, project architect said: “The building will not only be an outstanding architectural landmark, white transparent and glowing from the insides and out, but at the same time it will enhance the historic buildings on the campus.

Duncan Rice, principal and vice chancellor of the University of Aberdeen called the design “iconic” and added that the library, which will go into detailed design phase in the summer, would become a “cultural landmark” for Aberdeen.


http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/web/w/y/w/perspective_web.jpg http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/web/p/v/t/interior_pers_05.jpg
http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/web/y/x/n/interior_pers_06.jpg http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/web/o/c/u/interior_pers_04.jpg

Well done to the Dons tonight - an emphatic and extremely entertaining victory against those pesky Danes!

4-0!

Never thought I'd see the day!

Still the only Scottish club with two european cups

;-)

What a glorious result for Scottish football, now out coefficient should be going through the roof.

Five scottish teams in European football next season? Lets hope!

Also did everyobe see the next phase of the Aberdeen arena development passed council this week, looks like Aberdeen could be getting a brand spanking new stadium with a confuigurable capacity of up to thirty thousand folks!

and all that without a mad lithuanian wierdo!

I am rough as a dog today, but still fizzing with excitement!

What a game. What a result. Let's get a German team or Everton next! £££

I am rough as a dog today, but still fizzing with excitement!

What a game. What a result. Let's get a German team or Everton next! £££

Aberdeen v Byern Munich :cheers:

Also
Celtic v Barcelona
Rangers v Panathanikos

Not entirely sure what they are going for with this, but here you go. From BD (http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3109297&c=1&encCode=0000000001489083):

RMJM reveals Aberdeen energy centre
20 March 2008

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/web/a/a/v/NIGHTTIME_ready.jpg

RMJM has unveiled the first images of its proposed £35 million energy centre on Aberdeen’s seafront.

The 7,000sq m timber-shingle clad building, which is for the city council and the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group is at pre-planning. It is set to become a flagship for Scotland and will stand on Queen’s Link on the seafront, 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre. It will be used for research and education of the public on energy issues and will feature laboratories, office accommodation, and conference space.

Photovoltaic panels and an immense wind turbine rising up through the building’s envelope will supply its power.

Morag McCorkindale, chief operating officer of the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, said: “Aberdeen is a... capital for over 900 energy companies and we want to build a centre that expresses our industry and serves as a science centre for the public.

“We want to celebrate the city’s oil and gas heritage and look to the future — that’s why we want it to be a showcase for renewable technologies too.

“This is a concept design by RMJM who we’ve worked with closely on the design — we’re trying to get across that we want a very special building.”

Saw a model of this today. Looks somewhat better than John Miller's pseudo Classical extension of the National Galleries of Scotland into Princes Street Gardens. Go Aberdeen!

http://www.brisacgonzalez.com/images/aberdeen.jpg

Cash for contemporary arts centre

The development would transform Union Terrace Gardens
A £4m grant towards a new contemporary arts centre has been announced for Aberdeen.
The centre is expected to attract about 200,000 visitors a year and bring about £5m annually into the local economy.

The money is coming from the Scottish Arts Council which will provide capital funding for the centre.

The £13m development, dubbed the "Northern Light", is the result of a partnership between Aberdeen City Council and Peacock Visual Arts.

It is planned as a centre of excellence which will attract some of the world's finest contemporary artists to come and work and exhibit in Scotland.

The announcement was made just before the opening of the Glasgow Art Fair where the model of the new building is on display.

The Scottish Arts Council is the first of three major funding decisions. News about an Aberdeen City Council loan and grant from Scottish Enterprise Grampian are to follow.

The centre will then undertake a capital fundraising appeal to complete the development.

Scottish ministers approved the plans for the centre last month. The building will be located in the heart of Aberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens.

This is the first Scottish development for architects Brisac Gonzalez (http://www.brisacgonzalez.com/) who specialise in cultural and multi-purpose facilities, including the Museum of World Culture in Gothenburg.



...continues at the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7317204.stm).

Good grief on both accounts!

First off, that energy centre looks incredible. How tall is it?!

And also, those gardens look fantastic!

Go Aberdeen indeed!

Sorry Northern Lights (though aptly named) is a little bit too late 90's superdutch for me. Yes okay the cuts and ripples are elegant and minimal and oh so fashionable but as a whole it lacks presence. Perhaps because the architecture has just about entirely disappeared.

Personally I prefer Hans Hollien's early 80's Stadtisches Museum Abteiberg in Moncehngladbach.

http://www.hollein.com/index1.php?lang=en&l1ID=2&l2ID=2&l3ID=1&pID=63#

Which, in my opinion pulls the same stunt (of integrating cultural facility and garden) far better maybe because it still has a human scale.

Of course I realise that Hollien's take on Post Modernism is hardly fashionable these days which is a shame as he is really rather good (Haas Haus was one of the best urban buildings of its generation and a very very difficult historic urban context yet Hollien pulls it off brilliantly. Could you imagine anyone here being so brave?) and he knew how to handle ornament in a progressive, and at times quite witty, manner. I'm a big fan.

And while we are on the subject of Herr Hollien, and I realise this is in the wrong thread, but I was really saddened to hear of the loss of the Bank Of Pakistan on Sauchiehall Street as, if I recall correctly, Elder and Cannon's work there had strong parallels with Hollien's Osterrichisches Verkehrsburo in Vienna.

http://www.hollein.com/index1.php?lang=en&l1ID=2&l2ID=2&l3ID=3&pID=77

In some ways it represented a kind of 80's revival of the old Glasgow and Vienna links that were so strong in the days of Mackintosh and Hoffmann. I'm really surprised that Historic Scotland didn't intervene as it was one of Glasgow's best examples of Post Modernism and from a very highly regarded firm.

Northern Lights may be a bit fashionable, yes, but I don't think it's necessary to condemn it for that. I'm more interested to see what the internal spaces will be like though.

I think my favourite example of a building in the landscape, and the integration of the two, is the Louisiana Museum (http://www.GreatBuildings.com/buildings/Louisiana_Museum.html) in Denmark. It's probably the best gallery of modern art I've ever been to as well (in terms of its architecture... though the collection is pretty strong too). It has a wonderful relationship between the work inside, and the sculptures outside (Henry Moores, Richard Serras and the like). These are a few shots I took of it a year and a bit back:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/maccoinnich/ssc%20random/IMGP1695.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/maccoinnich/ssc%20random/IMGP1692.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/maccoinnich/ssc%20random/IMGP1689.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/maccoinnich/ssc%20random/IMGP1683.jpg

Oh I wasn't condemning it. Just saying it was too fashionable for my taste. That doesn't mean its bad! Its only my opinion! The internal spaces probably will be interesting and from that view the Northern Lights idea would work well particularly if they played around with the lighting at night. I guess I'm still hung up on buildings or pavillions in the landscape rather than buildings being the landscape.

I've never been to the Louisiana Museum or Denmark for that matter but it is very highly regarded and from what I have seen I do like the intimacy of the internal spaces and the connection with nature.

That's also one of the reasons I'm a bit concerned with what's going on at the back of the Burrell. It too shares those qualities. I don't have a problem with Go Ape per se, in fact I think getting one into the city is a good idea. But... its a bit crass putting it right behind the Burrell. Doesn't look like our planning system can handle that kind of nuanced argument though.

Right then, 'The Donald' is in town this week to do a bit of self promotion ahead of the public inquiry or cough cough whitewash on the subject of his golf course and resort at Machrie Beach. He's been on Lewis and visited the home where his mother grew up for all of 90 seconds.

Like millions of Americans before him, Donald John Trump today travelled across the Atlantic to see first hand his Scottish roots.

But this was a trip with a difference. As Mr Trump posed for photographs with his Scottish cousins outside the house where his mother was born, the tailfin of his private jet - emblazoned with a giant red "T" - was just visible on the runway of the airport across the bay.

Tomorrow, the 61-year-old billionaire famous for his New York skyscrapers and as the face of the NBC reality television show The Apprentice will testify at a public inquiry in Aberdeen called to hear evidence about a £1 billion golf resort he wants to build on a stretch of sand dunes just north of the city.

The development was referred to a public inquiry by the Scottish Executive after local councillors rejected it last year......continues at The Times (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4097572.ece)

Some great pictures on there of Donald's hair about to be blown away and of him looking delighted to meet his Scottish relatives. What a fanny.

I really can't help but feel sorry for "longlost cousins Willie Murray, Alasdair Murray, Calum MacLeod and Chrisie MacLeod"

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00349/trump_3_349883a.jpg

From architecturescotland (http://www.architecturescotland.co.uk/news/907/BREEAM_award_in_Aberdeen.html):

BREEAM award in Aberdeen

http://www.architecturescotland.co.uk/images/cache/news/56862bdbf8dd3cc3fbbc9a15669526fe.jpg

23 Sep 2008
BREEAM award in Aberdeen

The Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare, designed by Bennetts Associates, has received a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) award which recognises the UK’s top examples of sustainable design.

The building received the highest national rating of Excellent in the Bespoke category which was awarded at the BREEAM 2008 Award Ceremony at the Earls Court, London on 18 September 2008.

The new medical education and clinical teaching centre is currently under construction at Foresterhill. The building is being created through the Matthew Hay Project, a partnership between the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian which aims to develop first-class facilities for training health professionals and doctors.

Some of the building’s environmental features include:
• An exposed reinforced concrete frame which helps to maximise the benefits of thermal mass
• A highly efficient façade system
• A rainwater harvesting system which collects rainwater and is used to flush WCs
• A building management system to monitor plant items and energy consumption
• Low carbon technologies and passive renewables to reduce energy demands and reduce carbon footprint
• A design which maximises the controlled use of natural daylight.

Angus Donaldson, Director of Estates, University of Aberdeen said: “The University of Aberdeen recognises the need to incorporate opportunities for sustainable development into construction projects. This is the first new University building to go through the BREEAM process. We have worked very closely with the design team and the BREEAM Assessor and are therefore delighted to achieve the highest national rating of excellent for the Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare.”

“The centre showcases the ability of the University to develop buildings where environmental concerns are given high priority throughout the procurement process. From the reduction of energy demands to the use of systems which maximise natural energy resources, the design elements of this centre set a high benchmark for future construction projects undertaken by the University.”

Trump's £1bn golf resort approved

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7700074.stm

balls

And plenty of them! Best news Aberdeen has had in a long time.

Sadly i can't say the same. What a shame.

Given the current economic climate, this is pretty big investment for Aberdeen and Scotland. Shame it took so bloody long to get approved!

Amazing how this finally got passed through three days before a by-election.

Good thing for the area IMO, the North East needs something to provide jobs once the North Sea runs dry. I wonder how many protests there would have been if it weren't a Trump project?

Or, to phrase it another way, what chance would there have been of: a golf course being built on a SSSI; hundreds of luxury houses being built on a greenfield site, despite it being contrary to the Aberdeenshire local plan; and the Scottish Government calling it in, before the developer had even appealed, if it weren't a Trump project?

Yes, the North East needs something to replace oil. We've seen this before over and over again in Scotland that reliance on one industry isn't sensible economic planning. But that doesn't mean accepting every ill conceived offer made by some billionaire with a bad combover.

They better not screw up those dunes, its the best beach in the world IMHO. I used to have great fun leaping off the top of them when I were a lad.

Expect to see nature replaced by a sanitised, artificial, monocultural interpretation of nature.

I'm with Mark Twain—golf is a good walked spoiled.

you shouldnt jump off dunes, it de-stabilises them

Anyone willing to spend 1billion quid of their own money on a project in the north-east in the current economic climate is mindboggling. Throw in over 1000 permanent jobs. I am no particluar fan of him or golf for that matter, but it´s reality time folks.
Imagine someone wanted to invest 1billion cash into Glasgow IFSD or clydeside just now, we would be creaming ourselves.

From Willie Miller Urban design (http://www.williemiller.co.uk/a-banana-republic-welcomes-trump.htm). Quoted in full, because he has summed it up so well (although the last point goes a tad far):

A banana republic welcomes Trump

http://www.williemiller.co.uk/wp-content/menie-dunes-trump-01s.jpg

the dunes at Menie are the setting for the deplorable Trump proposals The Scottish Government’s approval yesterday of the Trump Organisation’s plans for Menie in Aberdeenshire is wholly unsurprising and utterly shameful. Obviously this is a political decision in the face of compelling environmental, economic and planning reasons for refusing the application. Scotland’s politicians are obviously so completely morally bankrupt that they think that destroying an irreplaceable piece of landscape and habitat for a vast gated estate of timeshare and executive homes is the right thing to do. It seems that it is acceptable and necessary to lay waste to precious assets in the desire to propitiate greedy individuals and corporates and the Government have no shame about dressing this up in specious economic development arguments - First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the news, citing 6,000 possible jobs but of course this is improbable to say the least.

There are a number of levels at which this process is disturbing. One of these is expressed by Edinburgh architect Malcolm Fraser: “I suppose this is us learning to be a good, servile service-economy: to give up our most fragile and valuable natural environments to allow the rich to helicopter in for a spot of golf with associated gated-luxury housing, all tartanised by an architectural style the volume housebuilders would recognise, a Trumpton-meets-the-Shining confection of crowstep gables and carriage lamps”. The jimmy-hat architecture of the outline proposals speaks of these trivial and patronising ambitions.

http://www.williemiller.co.uk/wp-content/clubhouse-elevation-from-course-s.jpg
clubhouse elevation from course

Of course Scotland’s development industry - land agents, developers, builders and of course architects with no shame and few job prospects who have produced so many second and third rate projects like Glasgow Harbour, Edinburgh Waterfront and many others - will be rushing to get a slice of the action. Most of all, any off-message views will be suppressed - best not to break ranks and risk being unemployable.

In an article in the Guardian in June 2008, Simon Jenkins noted that, “The point of environmental planning is not to capitulate to short-term market forces but to channel them to the public good. There can be no public good in building over the Balmedie dunes.” and “The truth is that Scotland is a victim of another colossal Trump try-on. This project is primarily about luxury holiday homes, not fairways. Scotland’s gullible politicians have been taken in by a New York billionaire.”

Wikipedia’s current definition of a banana republic contains much that doesn’t apply to Scotland and much that does, for example, “…a banana republic typically has large wealth inequities, poor infrastructure, poor schools, a “backward” economy, low capital spending, a reliance on foreign capital and money printing, budget deficits, and a weakening currency - rings bells yes?.” Worst of all for planning and the future of Scotland is the absolute lack of confidence and dearth of ideas that this decision says about what the country could be and should be. A sad and embarrassing day.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7715864.stm

Tycoon in £50m city centre offer

One of Scotland's richest businessmen has pledged up to £50m to create a "new heart" of Aberdeen's city centre.

Sir Ian Wood is backing a proposal to develop a new street level city centre square on the site of Union Terrace Gardens.

The funding will be subject to a Scottish Enterprise-funded feasibility study which will determine the cost and scale of the project.

However, plans for the new Peacock Visual Arts centre could be affected.

The feasibility study will look into what private and public sector funding can be accessed.

The aim is to provide Aberdeen with a city centre square to rival the best of any Northern European city.

Scottish Enterprise will commission engineering experts and urban designers to consider the options.

The most ambitious option, which is Sir Ian's vision, would attract his investment of up to £50m - but could require the re-positioning of the new Peacock Visual Arts Contemporary Arts Centre.

The feasibility study will also consider less ambitious options for the site, which it is said would incorporate plans for the arts centre.

Peacock Visual Arts warned it could be badly hit by delays to its project.

Sir Ian said: "The goal is to give Aberdeen a vibrant new heart to reflect both the success of the region and its position as a leading Northern European city.

"The vision is transformational - a street-level square with the very large space over the Denburn Road and railway covered in.

"I see this as the 'people's' square with something for everyone, and how that square will be developed, both above and below ground, is open to public debate."

He explained: "This development is of significant regional, national and international importance and will be a clear statement of Scotland's ambition in the energy industry worldwide.

"Today we are launching the feasibility study and the public debate."

He said he would only be prepared to invest in a scheme which had the "strong support" of the people of Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland.


Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Kate Dean said: "The regeneration of Union Terrace Gardens has been seriously considered in the past - but for the first time we now have the prospect of significant private sector financing, which has never been on the table before.

"Maximising the space occupied by the gardens would give us the chance to regenerate a far wider area and greatly improve the connections to other parts of the city centre, which at the moment are somewhat disconnected.

"We keenly anticipate the results of the feasibility studies and would encourage everyone in Aberdeen to get involved in the consultations."

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "I look forward to seeing the outcome of the feasibility study.

"It strikes me that in these tough economic times there is all the more reason to think big for the future of the north east of Scotland.

"We should be excited by the scale of his vision and his commitment to ensure great things can be made to happen."


A Peacock Visual Arts spokesperson said: "Whilst we would always welcome investment in the city centre, Sir Ian Wood's announcement puts the current Contemporary Arts Centre development in jeopardy.

"A delay in proceeding with Peacock's project will likely mean that we will lose our design team, architect and campaign team. There would be immediate redundancies at Peacock. Our funding package is time-limited and we must use it or lose it.

"It is unlikely that the project could be revived should Sir Ian's feasibility study introduce further delays into the process. We have written to Sir Ian to explain the challenges that his scheme and its timescale present to us."

Sir Ian is chairman of the multi-million pound energy services firm, John Wood Group.

It is one of the UK's largest energy services companies.

Sir Ian has chaired the company since 1982 and was awarded a knighthood in the 1994 honours list.

More on the impact on Northern Lights / Peacock:

City arts plan ‘sabotaged’ by millionaire
By Edd McCracken
ABERDEEN DEVELOPMENT: Fears are growing for the future of the new Peacock Centre, the main centre of contemporary visual arts in the northeast of Scotland.

FEARS ARE growing for the future of the main centre of contemporary visual arts in the northeast of Scotland following last week's announcement of North Sea oil millionaire Sir Ian Wood's ambitious plans for Aberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens.

Critics say the scheme will derail the existing plans for Peacock Visual Arts' new venue, potentially leaving the centre homeless and ending its 34-year history in the city. One called Wood's plans "sabotage".

Last Tuesday Wood unveiled a plan to raise the sunken gardens to street level, creating a new city square that he likened to "a grand Italian piazza and a mini Central Park". He pledged up to £50 million of his own money, to be matched by public funding pending a feasibility study.
advertisement

But Peacock Visual Arts, housed in a converted church hall off the Castlegate, has already secured planning permission and 70% of the funding for a new £13.5m home on the same site, planned to open in 2010. The organisation said it was told of the new plan only a week before the announcement.

While the feasibility study, commissioned by Scottish Enterprise and to be delivered in March, will factor in a new location for Peacock, due to the time and project-specific nature of the centre's funding any delay or change could kill the project and potentially Peacock itself. The lease on Peacock's current home runs out in 2011.

Lindsay Gordon, director of Peacock Visual Arts, said that while Wood's gesture to the city was "incredibly generous and a fantastic opportunity for the city", its timing has created significant issues for the centre.

...continues at the Sunday Herald (http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2468259.0.city_arts_plan_sabotaged_by_millionaire.php).

eA (http://*************************/aberdeen/peacock_visual_arts_building.htm)

Aberdeen Centre for Contemporary Arts
Facilities: contemporary arts & house galleries, printmaking, television & dance studios, workshops, education suite
Design: Brisac Gonzalez Architects

Scottish Government approve plans, March 2008:
The £12.5m development is expected to be completed by 2010. The plans have been praised by Architecture and Design Scotland. The new Union Terrace Gardens centre will attract over 200,000 visitors per year to the North-east.

http://*************************/aberdeen/jpgs/peacock_bg280907_extview.jpg

eA (http://*************************/aberdeen/peacock_visual_arts_building.htm)

Aberdeen Centre for Contemporary Arts
Facilities: contemporary arts & house galleries, printmaking, television & dance studios, workshops, education suite
Design: Brisac Gonzalez Architects

Scottish Government approve plans, March 2008:
The £12.5m development is expected to be completed by 2010. The plans have been praised by Architecture and Design Scotland. The new Union Terrace Gardens centre will attract over 200,000 visitors per year to the North-east.

http://*************************/aberdeen/jpgs/peacock_bg280907_extview.jpg

I'm a bit confused here. If this is definetly going ahead, surely the plan for the city square that was put forwar last week can't go ahead as well?

Trying to remember the layout of that particular area, I don't see how both of them would fit.

Well therein lies the rub: the city square plan procludes the Peacock Visual Arts plan.

Ah, sorry I'm being really thick. I didn't realise that that was Peacock.

I quite liked the view from the Union Street bridge (or Pizza Hut), so I hope it wins out over Mr.Wood's proposal.

According to the Bon Accord Centre's plan Aberdeen Woolies is closing down, and will be replaced by a Top Shop.

http://www.landsecuritiesretail.com/propertyportfolio/shoppingcentres/scotland/bonaccord/16534.pdf

Trump lines up team to tee off £1bn golf dream



DONALD Trump today declared work is about to tee off at his Balmedie estate.

The billionaire has unveiled the team that will make his £1 billion golf resort dream come true.

And it comprises many North-east specialists.

Mr Trump said: "It is extremely exciting that the project has become a reality.

"We are working through the planning process and as soon as we receive our detailed planning approval, the golf course construction can begin."

The Menie Estate plan includes a 450-bedroom hotel, 950 holiday homes, 500 houses - and a golf course Mr Trump predicts will be the "world's greatest".

The clubhouse will be designed by Huntly-based Acanthus DF.

The project's engineers will be W A Fairhurst & Partners and Raeburn Drilling and Geotechnical Ltd will carry out ground investigations.

Renovation of the 14th Century Menie House - which will become the "Trump family residence in Scotland" - has already started.

Fraser's of Ellon are supplying carpets and flooring and Interiors Unlimited of Inverurie will carry out the interior design. Other firms involved include Bon Accord Granite.

Renovation work is set for completion early next year when Mr Trump is due to visit. The masterplan for the site will be developed by Glasgow-based Gareth Hoskins Architects which is already working on expansion plans for Aberdeen's Bon Accord and St Nicholas centres.

Mr Hopkins said: "We can come up with a design that works with the landscape, something that really belongs there and is at a world-class level. We understand the site and how to take this forward."

The announcement of the project team - to be managed by Neil Hobday - comes while Mr Trump is facing difficulties elsewhere involving bank loan allegations.

But development director George Sorial said: "I don't think we have done anything but indicate we are extremely committed to Aberdeen.

"You don't spend tens of millions of pounds on a site that you don't intend developing."

Copyright © 2008 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Source: Lexis-Nexis
www.lexisnexis.com

Martha Schwartz (http://www.marthaschwartz.com/) landscape architects now involved in Union Terrace Gardens. From e-architect (http://*************************/aberdeen/union_terrace_gardens.htm):

Team assembled for Union Terrace Gardens project

Scottish Enterprise has appointed the engineering and design team for the Union Terrace Gardens Project. It will be led by Aberdeen based Architects, Planning Consultants & Project Managers, Halliday Fraser Munro who have assembled a world class team of consultants to ensure that the challenge is achieved.

The vision is to create an accessible open space that will integrate the Union Street retail and business thoroughfare with the cultural heart of His Majesty's Theatre and Aberdeen Art Gallery, whilst providing the context for a new Contemporary Arts Centre. The design team have been asked to deliver a technical and outline design and cost appraisal for three development options:

decking over the gardens, road and railway at street level
partial decking of the space
enhancement of the existing gardens without any street level decking

Each development option will consider how the proposed Contemporary Arts Centre may be integrated and identify any possible commercial opportunities arising from the design proposals. The task is to identify what is technically feasible, taking into account engineering, design, commercial, legal, and planning factors and establish an outline cost for each proposal. The final report and recommendations will be available by May 2009.

Scottish Enterprise Director David Littlejohn commented “we were really pleased with the quality of all the submissions and are delighted to appoint the team brought together by Halliday Fraser Munro. The inclusion of Martha Schwartz Partners is particularly welcome given their expertise in designing great public spaces around the world that can help drive city competitiveness”.

John Halliday, Chief Executive of Halliday Fraser Munro, commented “Our international team is globally recognised, yet firmly rooted in the city, and brings together all the skills which this project needs to produce a credible solution.”

“The strength of the team lies in the combined extensive experience, innovative talents and shared vision of its members who are all focussed on delivering a successful outcome to this extremely complex challenge Aberdeen City Centre must be the vibrant heart of the region, the hub for all those that live, work and visit, be that for business or pleasure”.

Looks like Trump's stateside business isn't doing too well in the current downturn. I wonder what the implications are for the Aberdeen golf resort.

"The Donald" is in trouble again. With the bottom falling out of the American gambling market, one of Donald Trump's companies has been forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Trump Entertainment Resorts, a collection of three mega-hotels and casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is 28% owned by the colourful 62-year-old American tycoon who has regularly faced similar financial trouble in his eventful career.

The Chapter 11 filing comes four days after Trump, who has reinvented himself as a television star in the US version of The Apprentice, resigned as the company's chairman. His daughter Ivanka stepped down from the board at the same time.

As the company missed the deadline on a $53m interest payment, bondholders rejected Trump's plan to ease its financial crisis by buying back the company. Among Trump Entertainment Resorts' creditors is UK construction giant Bovis Lend Lease, which is owed $7.5m according to the filing.

Recent three-month results for Trump Entertainment Resorts showed an $18m drop in revenues to $196.3m and a net loss of $102.2m...

Full article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/17/donald-trump-casinos-bankruptcy-protection)

Tenders invited for harbour development

Aberdeen Harbour Board is currently inviting tenders for a scheme at Torry Quay in Aberdeen Harbour. Bidders for the £30 million scheme include Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering, BAM Nuttall, McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd and George Leslie Ltd. The project involves the construction of five new berths to serve base for offshore activities, and includes the retention of the existing Torry Quay and the construction of a new robust quay structure. Utilities and bunkers on the quay side will also be required, including water, fuel and lighting. Work is due to commence mid June 2009 for 41 months.

Sir Robert McAlpine wins £39.7m Aberdeen refurbishment job

Sir Robert McAlpine has won the £39.7 million main contract on Aberdeen City Council’s redevelopment of Marischal College.

The firm is expected to start work to convert the historic granite building into new council headquarters in July.

After the former college interior has been demolished, it will be replaced by 174,000 sq ft of modern office space for 1,452 staff across six floors.

Completion of the project is scheduled for spring 2011.

More on the crazy, but pretty cool, project to completely redo Union Terrace Gardens. This is pretty mental, but damn kickass. More importantly, Aberdeen desperately needs something (maybe not in the proposed form) like this - a focal point for the city. This could be incredible, if it's done right. Just look at what they are proposing!!

From the P&J (http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1247266/?UserKey=):

Ambitious plans for new civic heart in Aberdeen are unveiled


The true scale of the way Aberdeen city centre could be transformed under Sir Ian Wood’s epic vision for a new civic heart can be revealed today.

Ambitious plans to change the face of Europe’s oil capital by raising the Denburn Valley to street level can be delivered within five years at a cost of up to £140million, engineering experts have found.

A detailed feasibility study into oil services tycoon Sir Ian Wood’s dream of decking over Union Terrace Gardens to create a new “people’s square” has been published by Scottish Enterprise today.

People would be able to walk from HM Theatre on Rosemount Viaduct, through a “green oasis” and civic heart, to Aberdeen’s train station without crossing a road, under the plans.

It would represent the most “significant and radical” change to the city centre since Union Street was built 200 years ago, the consultants said.

Hundreds of jobs would be created by the development, which would increase the area of public open space from the three-acre gardens, to a new six-acre square.

The scale of the scheme was compared in the study to London’s Trafalgar Square and to Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum as a potential attraction for international tourists.

Development body Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF) has considered the findings and unanimously agreed that the project should be progressed to the next stage.

Aberdeen City Council officials have recommended that councillors do the same next week, before 12 months of public consultation get under way.

In November last year, Sir Ian pledged £50million of his personal wealth to make the long-held vision become a reality, and provide the city with a legacy from the era of North Sea oil and gas.

The chairman of city-based oil services giant the Wood Group said he did not want the scheme to be billed as his project and that it was now up to the Aberdeen public to decide what they want.

“This is Aberdeen’s project,” Sir Ian said.

“This study is just outlining the potential of how we could transform the city centre. I was really quite pleasantly surprised by the scale.

“I do think this is in the same league as the building of Union Street and the Denburn Viaduct. This is probably the third in the league. It has really got to be looked at in this light.”

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond welcomed the findings of the study.

He said: “In difficult economic times it is even more important that we deliver on bold ideas and invest in infrastructure, and I support the leadership of ACSEF and Sir Ian Wood in driving this project forward through to the next phase of public consultation.”

Consultants Halliday Fraser Munro studied three options for a redevelopment of the Denburn Valley.

Only the first option, a full decking of the area, would qualify for Sir Ian’s £50million donation, and its total cost would be between £110million and £140million.

A park as big as the existing gardens would be created alongside a new civic square and plaza capable of hosting major events and gatherings, if the valley was fully raised.

Peacock Visual Arts’ new centre, which had been earmarked for the gardens, could be built on green space opposite HMT and Aberdeen Art Gallery, forming a cultural sector which would be linked to the city’s shopping district through its new civic heart.

Under the surface level, a new floor of some 70,000sq ft could be created for galleries and restaurants, which would link under Union Bridge to the car park of the Trinity shopping centre, the Green, the new Union Square shopping centre on Guild Street, and the city’s bus and train stations. Two levels of parking could be built below that level, providing 490 spaces and paving the way for the city council to demolish the existing Denburn car park and redevelop the site.

A second option would see the gardens raised to street level, but not covering the Denburn dual-carriageway and rail line, and therefore not linking to Belmont Street.

The cost of a partial decking was found to be similar to the first option, coming in at between £90million and £113million.

A third option for a £30million enhancement of the existing gardens would cost £30million, but ACSEF has only given the go-ahead for the first and second options to be progressed.

Council leader Kate Dean said: “What I have seen really shows that this is possible to make much better use of that space but still enjoy a green oasis in the city centre.

“It’s an exciting project and an exciting prospect for the city.”

Closest thread I could find for this, good news for scotland if it goes ahead. Taking into account that the exisiting space ports are in remote places, is there a particular reason for this? No offence to the Aberdeen locals but if you going to build something as unique as a space port you would normally put it in the most populated easy to get to areas, compared to Glasgow and Edinburgh (or anywhere else in the UK) Aberdeen is probably the remotetest city. GlasgowMan will be annoyed they are not taking off from Glasgow Airport :)!

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1329130?UserKey=


Company may turn Lossie base into space travel centre
Investment firm to take 32% stake in Virgin Galactic
Published: 29/07/2009

A Middle East investment company is to take a 32% stake in Sir Richard Branson’s space travel company Virgin Galactic, it was announced yesterday.

Abu-Dhabi based Aabar Investments will invest around £170million ($280million) in Virgin Galactic. Also, Aabar has committed £61million to fund a small satellite launch capability, and plans to build spaceport facilities in Abu Dhabi.

Sir Richard said: “We are delighted to partner with Aabar in a strategic deal that is a first for Virgin Galactic.

“The initiative will leverage the solid financial backing of Aabar and the pioneering technology and strong global relationships of Virgin Galactic.”

The deal between the two companies was signed yesterday at an Experimental Aircraft Association air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in the United States, where Virgin Galactic’s new WhiteKnightTwo launcher plane has flown in public for the first time with Sir Richard among the crew. Virgin’s SpaceShipOne has already flown safely to space and back three times.

A new spacecraft, SpaceShipTwo, will start a test flight programme before the end of this year. No start date for the first Virgin Galactic paying customers to go into space has yet been given.

But the company has already taken deposits from about 300 people, worth about £24million.

Earlier this year Scotland’s finance minister threw his weight behind Virgin Galactic plans for a north-east space port. John Swinney’s support came after he held talks with SNP Moray MP Angus Robertson.

The UK Government will have the final say on the plans from Sir Richard for a space travel centre at RAF Lossiemouth.

But Mr Robertson and SNP Moray MSP Richard Lochhead wanted the Holyrood administration’s support for the project.

The finance minister said the scheme would help the Scottish economy.

A spokesman for Mr Swinney said: “This is a private business venture and it is very encouraging that those behind the plans want to base the project in Scotland.

“Hopefully this is a new enterprise that will lift off from Scotland.”

Mr Robertson said: “Mr Swinney was enthusiastic about the plans and receptive to exploring the possibilities in Moray.”

Virgin Galactic wants to transform the Lossiemouth base into Europe’s first space travel centre within five years.

Woh - What was O Henrys in the Adelphi thru to shiprow gone in an 11 level development.

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/docs/planningdocuments.asp?appnumber=091221

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad%5B0%5D/1/9/3/1211193_Hoskins_village_green.jpg


AJ (http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/first-look-images-of-donald-trump-golf-course-revealed/5208011.article)

The first images of Donald Trump’s contentious plans for a £1 billion golf resort in the north east of Scotland, designed by Gareth Hoskins, have been released.

The artist’s impressions show the planned “village green”, potential views from the homes – all of which will have a view of the Aberdeenshire coastline - and an aerial image of the site.

Trump’s plans, which will eventually boast two 18-hole golf courses, 950 holiday homes, 36 golf villas, 500 houses, a 450-room hotel, conference facilities and a new clubhouse, will be on display to the public at the end of the week ahead of the developing the masterplan.

The plans for the Menie Estate resort have already received outline planning permission.

Gareth Hoskins Architects were brought in last year to take forward the masterplan for the project, replacing Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo.

New tenants named as shopping centre countdown starts

International brand name still kept under wraps as union square development gathers pace

By Joanna Skailes

Published: 10/09/2009

Three new restaurants have joined the list of tenants at Aberdeen’s £275million Union Square development, it emerged yesterday.

All three restaurant brands now secured are new to Aberdeen, and two of them are new to Scotland.

Additionally, five new retailers were also announced as site managers started a 50-day countdown to the opening of the complex on October 29.

Handmade Burger, a gourmet burger brand, and the South African-owned Spur Steakhouse are opening their first restaurants in Scotland.

Scottish independent brand Tinderbox, which already has cafes in Glasgow and London, has also signed up.

Owner and co-founder of Tinderbox Carlo Ventisei said: “Bringing Tinderbox to Aberdeen is a great opportunity for us.

“We hope to build on our success by providing great coffee in a comfortable and stylish environment. Coffee in Aberdeen is about to get a whole lot better.”

The retailers confirmed yesterday were stationery store Paperchase, jewellery shop Rox, arts and crafts outlet Hobbycraft, Boots, and fashion line USC.

They will join previously-announced retailers TK Maxx, Marks and Spencer, Cotswold, Apple, H&M, Next, Nando’s, Frankie and Benny’s, Costa, Cineworld and others in the new mall, developed by Hammerson.

More than 80% of the centre’s floor space has now been let.

Union Square development manager Guy Wells said they were “very pleased” to release the names of the new tenants but said they were still unable to name the much-anticipated “international brand”, which is expected to form part of the centre and is currently being discussed by solicitors.

He added: “It’s great that leisure operators recognise the thriving catchment surrounding the scheme.”

Richard Gallacher, the area director for main Union Square contractor Miller Construction, said: “I think the development has gone extremely well so far.”

Hotel group Jurys Inn opened its newest hotel in Union Square on Friday. General manager Billy Roche said it had been a “very busy week”.

“We had leisure customers over the weekend and then we hit Sunday, and oil week, and we have been full with business customers, he said. “We were fully booked on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.”

He said next week was also looking busy.

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1390116?UserKey=

Looks like the International brand name will be Scotlands first Hollister store.


Hollister to debut in Scotland with Aberdeen signing

September 11, 2009

US fashion retailer Hollister is on the verge of signing for its first Scottish store at the new Aberdeen retail development Union Square.

The shop will be the Abercrombie & Fitch-owned fashion chain’s seventh UK store. The opening ties in with the retailer’s goal of having 10 stores within its first year of trading in the UK. Its first UK store opened at Brent Cross last November.

The retailer has also recently signed for stores in Belfast, Liverpool and Bristol.

Other retailers that signed to Union Square this week are Boots, Hobbycraft, USC, greetings cards specialist Paperchase and Scottish jeweller Rox.

Culverwell & Co and Lunson Mitchenall acted for Hammerson. Riddell Thoms represented Boots, while CB Richard Ellis acted on behalf of Paperchase and USC. Ditchfield Property represented Rox.

Union Square’s landlord Hammerson was unavailable for comment.

http://www.retail-week.com/property/hollister-to-debut-in-scotland-with-aberdeen-signing/5006105.article

Jings, integrated bus and rail station, its like something from another country!

http://www.unionsquareaberdeen.com/our-vision/aerial-view

From the official website for anyone who is interested.

Excellent stuff! Aberdeen has been crying out for a development this size for years and years and stuff. Also, quite impressive that they might get Scotland's first Hollister..

Leading property consultant, CB Richard Ellis (Scotland) has announced that it has let a substantial unit in The Academy Centre in Aberdeen to Jack Wills...

http://www.scottishproperty.co.uk/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=ViewFullStory&ID=10195

With the new biggest Next in Scotland, new larger River Island & Top Shop, Karen Millen, kurt Geiger etc in the Bon Accord, and all the new shoppies in Union Square, Aberdeen is really improving for Shopping.

The wivies at work say they won't need to go to Dundee or Glasgow to shop anymore.

Do Aberdonians actually come down here to shop? Sounds like too much hassle imo.

As there hasn't been much major retail development over the past twenty years a lot have brands have struggled to find decent space in Aberdeen. With there being a lot of highly paid people in Aberdeen, the spend leaks away to other places or the internet.

It's only a couple of hours drive to Glasgow, so you can do Buchanan St and Ikea in a day, and still be back in time time to wear your new togs out on town at night.

It's only a couple of hours drive to Glasgow,

Mad northern bastard;)

Jack Wills? The Gordonstoun crowd will be happy.

When I lived in Aberdeenshire I would go down to Glasgow for a weekend's shopping etc.
And that was before any of the big shopping centers opened. It's just one time I forgot too go back and have been here ever since.

Feel the might of the granite city.

David Hatcher finds the Granite City’s too tough for the crunch

12:42 | 22.07.09 |

By David Hatcher

I’ve never seen a Jaguar taxi before.

But then again, I hadn’t been to Aberdeen before either.

It looked quite strange, the sleek, dark blue S-Type with a bright light on top.

I could also barely believe the answer I got to that age old back seat question – ‘How’s business then?’.

Credit crunch or no credit crunch, the chance of a cabbie anywhere in the world responding: ‘Just fine thanks. Plenty going round’ is pretty remote.

But as I said, I’d never been to Aberdeen before.

My first visit had been prompted by the opportunity to visit Hammerson’s Union Square shopping centre http://www.unionsquareaberdeen.com/ that is due to complete in October.
Sure, it was a long way to go just to visit a shopping centre but it could be the last opportunity of its sort that I was going to get in a while.

A new £250m, 700,000 sq ft centre, with a 10 screen digital cinema, a 200 bed hotel and a 1700 space car park.
I can’t see that popping up again in many press releases going forward.

Delivering a new centre in to the worst market in living memory is a daunting prospect but if you had to be opening up anywhere, it’d be Aberdeen.

Oil is a massive counter cyclical driver in this enormously wealthy city http://www.fundraisingresearch.info/USERIMAGES/millionaireslist.xls and this is part of the long term attraction for Hammerson. (The price has tanked but we’re still putting petrol in our cars).

There’s talk of Oil WAGS, oil commuters and oil entrepreneurs. There’s even an oil literature section in WHSmith in the airport.

But of course, to make a centre work it’s got to be good. So how does the centre look? Well, impressive actually.

The outside is already looking sleek.
The old archways of Aberdeen station are integrated in to a new square and atrium at the main entrance to the centre.
And the inside, with its curvature and modern wood finish roof makes it look like a modern day Noah’s Ark. (I mean that in the best possible way, there was no hay in the corners or anything like that).

It’s probably a fair guess to say the centre is around 75% let (although Hammerson is keeping its cards close to its chest until its next set of result on August 3rd). So with retailers such as a Zara, H&M and Apple all setting up in the centre, come October shoppers should be marching through the door two by two.

Richard Poyser, assistant director of retail leasing at Hammerson, admits letting the centre hasn’t been the easiest job but said that retailers recognise the wealth the city has.

“The reaction the oil industry generates is phenomenal.

“Aberdeen is not immune to what’s going on but it gives an element of protection.

“It has also been helpful in attracting the likes of Apple and other US firms who understand the area.”

http://blog.propertyweek.com/2009/07/22/david-hatcher-finds-the-granite-city-too-tough-for-the-crunch/

The Bon Accord's not that old is it?

Anyhow, I like Aberdeen. Having been there for fourteen years though. Should go again.

I didn't know where to put this, but some of you may of read in the skybar, that Aberdeen (along with Newcastle) are to get an Apple store, and honestly, having one before Edinburgh does, is saying something.

There's an Edinburgh store on the way big yin. Don't know if they've started kitting it out yet? It's surprising some of the places that don't have an Apple store yet.

There's an Edinburgh store on the way big yin. Don't know if they've started kitting it out yet? It's surprising some of the places that don't have an Apple store yet.

Leeds is another place in the UK that surprisingly doesn't have one, and when they realesed the information about stores in the UK that will have one soon, Edinburgh wasn't on the list, though I have heard rumours for years. Maybe they are waiting for a vacant outlet on Princess St.

They've secured a site in Edinburgh, they're just waiting for the lease to run out on the existing tenants.

They've secured a site in Edinburgh, they're just waiting for the lease to run out on the existing tenants.

Ah, I didn't relise that, no disrespect to Glasgow, but I would of thought Edinburgh would got an Apple store first, though Glasgow is one of the UK's best shopping destinations, so I guess it may make sense for Glasgow to get one first, either way, I think both of Scottish giant cities deserve one. Aberdeen is a strange one though. I guess it more of a case of travel time to Glasgow and Edinburgh though.

Hollister signs in Aberdeen

08:38 | 28.10.09

By Laura Chesters

Hollister, a sister brand of Abercrombie & Fitch, is to open its first Scottish store at Union Square, which opens to the public tomorrow.

The US young fashion brand has taken a 6,690 sq ft unit close to H&M in the lower fashion mall of the 700,000 sq ft shopping and leisure scheme owned by Hammerson.

It will be Hollister’s eighth store in the UK and its fourth store within a Hammerson scheme, following its European debut at Brent Cross Shopping Centre in October 2008.

Sheila King, head of retail leasing at Hammerson, said: "To secure Hollister's first store in Scotland is excellent news for Union Square. Since its arrival in the UK in autumn last year, Hollister has quickly established itself as a strong youth brand. Adding Hollister to Union Square further strengthens the tenant line up and demonstrates Aberdeen’s attractiveness as a retail location."

Culverwell and Lunson Mitchenall acted on behalf of Hammerson. Hollister was represented by NB Real Estate.

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3151923&c=1

Surprised that no-one has mentioned that Trumps golf resort started today.


Trump project work gets under way

Initial work on Donald Trump's £1bn project to create what he has vowed will be the world's greatest golf experience has got under way.

Donald Trump Jnr - the son of the American billionaire - was at the Menie estate, north of Aberdeen, to see work start on the dunes.

It includes the laying of special marram grass, earthwork and fencing.

The Tripping Up Trump group has warned it would take legal advice over Tuesday's decision to approve the work.

Aberdeenshire councillors on the Formartine Committee gave the go-ahead for the preparatory work to be carried out to stabilise the shifting sand dunes around what would become the championship golf course Mr Trump wants to build.

We have been under incredible scrutiny. That will never be enough for some of the extremists
Donald Trump Jnr

A masterplan for exactly what is planned for the estate is expected to be ready for submission next year.

Mr Trump Jnr told BBC Scotland of the work starting on Wednesday: "This is a long-term project, it's one component of many that is getting under way.
Continues at the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8329348.stm)

There is an official website (http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/) for the development which as you might expect is completely up its own arse (do websites have arses? I'm not sure, anyway, the phrase stands)

Seven more sign at Hammerson's Union Square Aberdeen

07:30 | 30.10.09

By Laura Chesters

Hammerson has signed up seven new retailers at Union Square in Aberdeen – the retail scheme that opened yesterday.

Handbag and accessories retailer Ollie & Nic is to open its first store in Aberdeen in a 1,254 sq ft unit within the centre’s atrium area. Adding to the fashion line up in the main mall will be footwear brand Faith, which is also new to the city taking a 2,092 sq ft store.

Active lifestyle brand, Fat Face has signed up for a 2,654 sq ft unit and jewellery specialists Pandora has taken a 1,128 sq ft store.

Two independent Scottish retailers are expanding - Exquisite Designs, Aberdeen’s special occasion dress boutique and Urban Kids, a childrenswear brand will both be opening new stores in Union Square.

Coffee favourite Starbucks has also signed.

Jane Dixon, managing director for Ollie & Nic said: “Our Glasgow shop is very popular and we hope the ladies of Aberdeen will enjoy our collection of bags, purses, jewellery and knitwear.”

Culverwell & Co and Lunson Mitchenall acted on behalf of Hammerson for all the transactions. Ollie & Nic and Faith were represented by CWM. Cushman & Wakefield acted on behalf of Fat Face with Kitchen La Frenais Morgan acting on behalf of Pandora. Eric Young and Co represented Starbucks.

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3152023&c=1

^^ Anyone been in Union Square yet? The covered square that contains the entrance to the station looked as if it might be quite interesting, I'm wondering if it actually works in real life.

Union Square is quite nice, though there are still a good number of shops that have yet to open. The opening hours are great though, best in the city.

Yes, I'd say the central 'space' of Union Square works quite well.

http://www.5710.org.uk/


This Thursday the 26th, 57'10 is delighted to announce that we have a double header on the cards.

At noon on the Thursday, 57'10 is being graced by the presence of Alan Dunlop from gm+ad architects, who is delivering a lecture on drawing techniques. Gm+ad are well known in the architectural world for along with other leading Scottish practices, developing a new Scottish Architectural language. Alan's dedication to, and love for the pencil is well known in the world of architecture and the opportunity to hear one of Scotland's architectural heavyweights deliver a lecture directly on the topic of drawing should ignite serious interest amongst our student body and any interested practices.

Later in the day, at 5pm, we welcome Tom dePaor from Dublin based firm dePaor Architects to lecture in Scott Sutherland. Tom was the recipient of the 2003 YAYA and is renowned for his dedication to the integrity of his designs. A shining light in the Irish architectural landscape, his lecture will cover his plans for a film theatre in Galway on the West coast of Ireland.

We hope to see you all at the lecture and welcome your questions, especially those of you who have never asked a question before. Tom and Alan are both the very best at what they do, and the opportunity to learn from them does not come about very often.


57'10 Society
Scott Sutherland School of Architecture
Robert Gordon University
Faculty of Design and Technology
Garthdee Road
Aberdeen
AB10 7QB

mail@5710.org.uk

Now this is an exciting project.

Major new heart of Aberdeen named City Square Project


The ambitious plan is to raise the centre of Aberdeen

The plan for a new heart of Aberdeen is being called the City Square Project, it has been announced.

A public consultation on the scheme for Union Terrace Gardens it to be launched on 11 January.

Millionaire businessman Sir Ian Wood has pledged £50m of his own money towards the scheme.

New images of what the project, raising the level of Union Terrace Gardens, could eventually look like have also been released.

The new name is supported by the themes "This Time. This Place. This Generation". Continues at BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8387182.stm)

£50m! That's an incredible amount from one guy. Hope it happens.

Now this is an exciting project.

Continues at BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8387182.stm)

£50m! That's an incredible amount from one guy. Hope it happens.

Although the investment is to be appreciated, I'm really against the proposal. Whilst underused, Union Terrace Gardens are a very noble and pleasant addition to the Aberdeen cityscape, and one I would like to retain.

Why not regenerate the upper level on the western side of the gardens, inserting shops into the existing arched-areas? Perhaps the main gardens could also be raised slightly to make them more accessible and something done to separate them more clearly from the road.

Yes, an offer of lots of money to make improvements is always nice, but ultimately I feel that to put this plan into effect wholesale would destroy much of Union Street's historic character.

As for a catalyst for Union Street regeneration - it's not that part of Union Street that really needs regenerating: it's the part with all the dodgy £1 shops.

Covering the dual carriageway there though would probably not be a bad idea!

A friend (who some of you have met) sent round this email a few weeks ago. Given the purpose of it, I'm sure she wont mind me reposting it up here.

hellooo guys,

at the archie lecture yesterday, a practice called brisac gonzalez talked about their project in aberdeen called the peacock arts centre. http://www.brisacgonzalez.com/projects/pva/pva01.html the site is the union terrace gardens.
this is currently on hold because sir ian wood wants to give the council £50m to build a new 'public square' there.... there are a lot of controversies blah blah but i won't get into it.

the crazy thing is, the only squares in the WORLD that are larger than this one are.... (drum roll please): red square and tiannemen square. madness, right? considering that aberdeen doesn't have a massive population (or major socio-political agenda), it's going to be...well, shit! talk about quality of public realm! there's also the fact that they're taking away a beautiful existing garden. some of the trees are 200 years old! also, there are arguments that this will help them become 'city of culture'.... by taking away a public arts centre? great idea.

so... if you think this is all a load of shite and can be bothered to, please take a sec to sign this petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-the-new-contemporary-art-centre-in-union-terrace-gardens.html/

ta very much. rant over.

A friend (who some of you have met) sent round this email a few weeks ago. Given the purpose of it, I'm sure she wont mind me reposting it up here.

I see her point, but how often does an offer like that come around.

I'm sure a compromise can be reached. What about having a square that covers ONLY the railway and dual carriageway and then have the gardens raised to the same level as it?

Hmm, from what I've read the square will be about 26000 sq m, which would place it waaaaay down on the list here, OK so I know wikipedia isn't all that but....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_city_squares_by_size

I think the plans are amazing, I definitely support it..

I can't see the square working. We already have a smaller square (Castlegate)that is deserted most of the day apart from drunks and druggies. How do they propose to make a much larger square viable? It's not like Aberdeen has the weather all year round to support a cafe culture.

I suppose that given that most of it underneath the main level will be a visionary car park (the gallery only taking up a small bit of the space), we can give up the drama that the changes in levels create.

There's also a lot of concrete in the latest pictures of the plans, and not much green. I don't suppose Mr Wood might consider decking over Princes Street Gardens instead?

I can't see the square working. We already have a smaller square (Castlegate)that is deserted most of the day apart from drunks and druggies. How do they propose to make a much larger square viable? It's not like Aberdeen has the weather all year round to support a cafe culture.

I suppose that given that most of it underneath the main level will be a visionary car park (the gallery only taking up a small bit of the space), we can give up the drama that the changes in levels create.

There's also a lot of concrete in the latest pictures of the plans, and not much green. I don't suppose Mr Wood might consider decking over Princes Street Gardens instead?

That's why I like the inside/outside idea, helps to weather proof it. You are right about Castlegate, but I think that is for different reasons. The castlegate is right at the end of Union Street, not the nice end either. Things are much busier in the middle and even at the posher end :)

It was the norm during the day (I went to school at the other end of Belmont St from Union St), to have the top of the St Nicholas Centre, the graveyard at St Nicholas Church, the Belmont St and Back Wynd area all thronging with people sitting eating lunch etc. I thing the new square could attract a lot of attention on nice days particularly...

I too think it's viable, but just not very desirable. I would really like some effort put into making the 'bad' end of Union Street a bit better. With the building of the new civic square where St Nicolas House currently is, we could really use a joined-up town centre of consistent quality.

For such a historic focal point, surrounded by many great buildings and attractions, the state of the Castlegate and the pound-shop-and-discount-supermarket end of Union Street is shameful.

I too think it's viable, but just not very desirable. I would really like some effort put into making the 'bad' end of Union Street a bit better. With the building of the new civic square where St Nicolas House currently is, we could really use a joined-up town centre of consistent quality.


I vaguely remember a proposal to demolish St Nicholas House being kicked about a few years ago when I lived up there, with the council moving their office functions over to Marsical College but I think that one has shuffled off now.

I vaguely remember a proposal to demolish St Nicholas House being kicked about a few years ago when I lived up there, with the council moving their office functions over to Marsical College but I think that one has shuffled off now.

I'm not sure about the demolition, but as far as I knew, Marischal college was in full swing, the interior almost completely removed and replaced with a steel frame when I last saw it. It should basically be a modern office building hiding inside the college exterior, in the end...

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1521733?UserKey=

Aberdeen architects think the plans to build a square over Union Terrace Gardens are fundamentally flawed.

IMHO, the Ian Wood plan is just a spoiling tactic to prevent Peacock relocating. Peacock's funding was only guaranteed to the end of 2009, so now that's passed, the Wood plan may just quietly fade into the night, having done its job. :ohno:

IMHO, the Ian Wood plan is just a spoiling tactic to prevent Peacock relocating. Peacock's funding was only guaranteed to the end of 2009, so now that's passed, the Wood plan may just quietly fade into the night, having done its job. :ohno:

What does Ian Wood gain from preventing the Peacock relocating?

I note that the No 1 George Square (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=452472) thread was initialy created for an Aberdeen project but has been hijacked by myself and other weegies lately thinking its our very own post office building... sorry for the confusion Zipper, i dont think there was an Aberdeen thread created at that time you created that thread, once again appologise, Davey can you sort out the 1st 5 posts accordingly... Cheers :)



International Design Competition to be Launched for City Square Project, Aberdeen

ACSEF has today announced that an international design competition for the City Square project will be the next step in the process if there is a positive outcome to the consultation.

The public private sector partnership has also revealed that creating a Scottish Guggenheim or securing a major national gallery or museum is one of its main aspirations for the project.

ACSEF is spear-heading the City Square project which aims to create a more attractive, greener, better connected and safer city centre by raising Union Terrace Gardens and covering over the unsightly Denburn dual carriageway and adjacent railway line.

The City Square project, which is currently a concept out for public consultation, is a major economic regeneration proposal that would radically transform the city centre.

Dave Blackwood of ACSEF said: “In our recent discussions as part of the consultation it has become clear that people want to see internationally acclaimed architects being invited to come up with iconic, landmark designs for the City Square project. They believe this project is of such significance that it would merit the launch of an international design competition.”

“Given the important cultural element of this project, we are setting up a workstream within the steering group to lead this part of the project.

“There is no reason why Aberdeen cannot aspire to securing a major arts brand and establishing our own Guggenheim – a gallery and museum which has led the transformation of Bilbao. The regeneration of Dundee’s waterfront has helped it secure the V&A museum and our aspirations should be to attract major national arts and culture facilities.”

ACSEF hopes that the City Square project would stimulate culture in the area and provide us with the necessary platform to attract major, international art exhibitions complemented by music, dance and drama.

The aim is to create a hub that will attract a critical mass of activities and provide quality, purpose-designed facilities for a wide range of performing and visual arts.

“We keep reiterating that the City Square can and should include a contemporary arts centre. Our aspiration is that such a centre could attract national and international brands from the arts world.

“ Within the City Square there is the potential for an iconic building that could meet all Peacock’s requirements and more. Such a centre would be better sited – nearer the theatre and art gallery to create a cultural mass – and benefit from the increased footfall and therefore greater commercial viability as well as significantly lower capital costs.”

Source: ACSEF
4 Feb 2010

Too late Aberdeen, the V&A is going to be the place to visit, you have missed the boat on that one!

Hollister's Scottish debut brings record footfall to Union Square

29 March, 2010

Scotland's first Hollister store prompted one of Union Square's busiest shopping weekends on record, with footfall up 10,000 on the Christmas shopping weekend.

The launch of the iconoic American fashion retailer, which took place on Friday 26 March, took the total footfall since the centre's opening to 4.8 million. It marked a huge increase in weekend footfall, beating even the busy Christmas period.

The launch weekend made the top three highest footfall weekends of the year so far. Saturday’s footfall alone was the second highest of the year, up nearly 6,000 from the previous weekend.

Sheila King, Group Retail Leasing Director for Hammerson commented: “We knew Hollister would be a popular store for shoppers and Hollister’s addition to the fashion line up further enhances both Union Square’s and Aberdeen’s status as quality shopping destinations. It is a massive brand that has created a lot of attention since its UK launch at Brent Cross.”

http://www.shopping-centre.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/3441/Hollister_s_Scottish_debut_brings_record_footfall_to_Union_Square.html

From the Beeb (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8615070.stm):

Consultation puts Aberdeen City Square plan in doubt

The majority of people who took part in a consultation on plans to create a civic square in the heart of Aberdeen opposed the plan, putting it in doubt. Results of the consultation showed 55% of 11,943 formal submissions received were against the City Square project, with 44% supporting it.

Hopefully the Council will ditch the plans and proceed with the Peacock (the funding is still available). While the the Denburn valley needs a little attention, it doesn't need erased.

Re St Nicholas House: is it marked for demolition once the Council have moved out? hope not, I like the way it wraps Provost Skenes. The courtyard feels very Mad Men to me, albeit without the sexual tension.

There's various other areas in Aberdeen dominated by sixties / seventies road schemes that could do with Woods's millions:

Denburn Health Centre / whole area behind His Madge's.

Mounthooly / Hutcheon Street - join up the two dual carriageways, get rid of the roundabout, and create a whole new area of town.

East North street - again, get rid of the roundabout, and in-fill the rest of the area with good quality build.

Re St Nicholas House: is it marked for demolition once the Council have moved out? hope not, I like the way it wraps Provost Skenes. The courtyard feels very Mad Men to me, albeit without the sexual tension.

http://lagusta.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/joan-mad-men-567x800.jpg

Are you saying this look isn't often spotted in Aberdeen?

Re St Nicholas House: is it marked for demolition once the Council have moved out? hope not, I like the way it wraps Provost Skenes. The courtyard feels very Mad Men to me, albeit without the sexual tension.

Yes. The building was only designed to have a short lifespan, and has well surpassed it.

Personally I want the sort of pleasant area where things like Provost Skene's house can be seen, and where the area integrates into the surrounding streets and lanes. As well as less ugly tower blocks generally. Aberdeen was once a city of glorious spires, now they're dwarfed by buildings like St Nick's, or Aberdeen College, or those blocks of flats nearby.

Sounds like you want to pare back Aberdeen to pre1950. The blocks at Gallowgate, Castlehill, Rose Place and Kidd Street are amongst the best examples we have in Scotland, not only in terms of design but maintenance.

For a building with a design short life span (ref?) St Nicholas looks in reasonable nick. Never found that anyone had a problem finding Provost Skenes and I think that the Lever House neighbour sort of showcases the early burgh architecture.

Nice one Mac, season 3 ended here this week. Aside from the design porn aspect, the narrative and characterisation has been excellent. Never did I think I'd find myself wanting a rapist to remain in a series.

I'm going to miss Sal - I thought there was a lot they could have done with his character, and given the tobacco contract, it doesn't look like there's any way that he can return.

Sounds like you want to pare back Aberdeen to pre1950.

Not far off it, actually. The 1960s and 70s - whilst producing some buildings of note - was a terrible time for architecture. A combination of post-war poverty, mass expansion and Modernist architectural theory united to cause more destruction of our established cityscapes than even Adolf Hitler managed.

What do I object to about this particular style of building? That it is completely insensitive to anything around it; that poor buildings were allowed to dominate over ones of international historical acclaim (as we see with St Nicholas and Marischal); that decoration was expressly excluded; that they were built from awful materials that look utterly depressing whenever it happens to be overcast; that they obliterated any form of street-planning surrounding them; that buildings from this period were poorly maintained and often no regard was paid to landscaping around them.

Yes, I'd pull them all down - and I suspect the residents would thank me for it!

I have no problem with modern developments in Aberdeen. I quite like what has happened at Shiprow, I think HMT is enhanced by the glass foyer extension, if it hadn't been so terribly positioned then I could appreciate the Town House extension. It is this particular type of building development from that era - and the arrogance associated with it - which has made so many British city centres pretty poor places to visit.

The blocks at Gallowgate, Castlehill, Rose Place and Kidd Street are amongst the best examples we have in Scotland, not only in terms of design but maintenance.

The best examples of design and maintainance of what? Rather ugly monstrosities? Yes, I admit, given a brief to design something spectacularly ugly to blight a city centre, I could have done little better than some of the blocks in Aberdeen. They are truly notable in their respective fields.

The problem with Union Terrace Gardens as they currently exist is that the space suffers from extremely poor permeability and legibility due to its sunken nature. If one stops to look at the architectural panorama from Union Bridge, it is one of the finest to be had in the city - problem is there is no reason to stop and look because users have to circumnavigate the sunken space rather than traverse through and contemplate the surroundings. In my lifetime, the gardens have gone downhill and will continue to remain a backwater unless new ideas are sought. Misty-eyed notions of what it used to be are of no use unless there is action to back it up.

If the gardens are to remain in their current state and/or include Peacock Visual Arts, then legibility from Union Street itself has to be drastically improved to make it an inviting space.

In my own opinion, there is a way the ACSEF/Wood scheme could prevail - the gardens occupy an area roughly equivalent to 2 city blocks - if an urban block could be built at the nothernmost extremity opposite the theatre, it reduces the "red square effect" by half, giving the remainder of the space over to a centrally-located and highly useable public square. There can be little doubt that Aberdeen city centre suffers from a dearth of high-quality public space in the retail centre. Who's to say that the urban block cannot contain the desired arts centre and associated uses, fronting onto a new public square, possibly even containing a newly-ressurrected subterranean suburban rail platform?

Makes perfect sense to me. Lest we forget, Union Street itself is a bridge, built on top of the old town.

I personally feel that both of the options on the agenda are fundamentally flawed. I do feel that there is a third way that can bring all the desires together.

From the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8674333.stm)

Campaigners against the controversial Aberdeen bypass have lodged an appeal with the Court of Session.

Campaign group Road Sense is challenging the approval of the bypass route by Scottish ministers, after a public inquiry.

Transport Scotland, the agency responsible for the road, has said the challenge could delay the building of the route by up to two years.

The aim is a fast link between towns to the north, west and south of Aberdeen.

Scottish government approval came after a long-running public inquiry in 2008.

The grounds of the appeal are varied but include the remit of the inquiry itself and the impact of the road on protected sites and species.

Opponents have criticised the cost and the environmental impact of the 28-mile scheme, and have expressed doubts it can still be completed for the earlier estimated cost of £395m.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "We are aware that a legal challenge to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route has now been lodged. We will consider the terms of the challenge."

And here is the proposed route for anyone who needs a reminder
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/9954/aberpass.gif

And the project's offical website (http://www.awpr.co.uk/).

hate to be pessemistic, but with the budget cuts coming our way in the next few years I think this project looks ripe for the scrappie.

^^ Yeah I can see it going that way too. Big udget squeeze is coming down the tracks next year and its going to be easier to cut bit ticket items like this than work out how to spend the money better. I take today's announcement on NHS job lossess in Glasgow as an early sign of what is to come.

Aberdeen in today's banner! :happy:

Really not doing it justice though! As usual with Scottish or indeed UK banners :lol:

Unusal looking stadium...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-12757875

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48709000/jpg/_48709296_aberdeen_new_stadium_464.jpg

Plans for Aberdeen FC's new stadium have taken a major step forward after Scottish ministers decided against calling in the proposals.

Councillors earlier approved the £38m stadium, capable of holding about 21,000 fans, at Loirston Loch in the south of Aberdeen.

It was within the rights of the Scottish government to have its own officials look over the plans.

The club can now move forward with its plans to fund the ground.

Aberdeen FC intends to sell its current home at Pittodrie for housing....

Down-right ugly and unimaginative, I'd say. I can certainly see the positives in moving them away from their current site, but I suspect they'll miss having a city centre stadium too.

Any updates on the Western Peripheral Route? Is it going ahead?
I always used to think that having a 'ring-road' with a 14th Century bridge at one end and a busy junction at the other (yes, it's better than it was 20 years ago, but still) was a little crazy.

As far as I know the WPR has been approved and is going ahead but has been delayed by legal action by local residents. This could change after the election as im sure labour given the chance wont be able to afford it when they instantly fcuk the books up again. There are other plans for a Dual Carridgeway through aberdeen linking the existing denburn dual carrideway with berryden & the A96.

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/Roads/transport_projects/roa_berryden_corridor.asp

This will in turn also just about link up with the 3rd Don crossing and at the other end link with either the existing dual carrigeway on market street/south college street which connects with wellington road & the A90 South.

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/LandPremises/lap/lap_AccessNorth_Home.asp

Labour said recently it wasn't a priority for them, more interested in GARL. SNP are probably more likely to deliver.

Aberdeen needs a bypass it is a priority and has been for years. Theres no point wasting money on a station at the Glasgow airport in the current financial climate when the existing bus service via the motorway arrives in the city centre in 10 minutes

http://commercialdevelopments.stewartmilne.com/PageProducer.aspx?Page=3361

I don't think Mr Milne likes Aberdeen...

^^

Hmm, different, but seriously detracts from the lovely spire, that is a prominent feature of the city centre.

Thanks for the info, I noticed the Milne boards on the site, but didn't know what was planned.

Scott Sutherland Show

e-architect.co.uk (http://*************************/aberdeen/scott_sutherland_school_architecture.htm)

Scott Sutherland School of Architecture Show 2011

16 - 30 Jun

The exhibition will be open to the public from Thursday 16 June to Thursday 30 June inclusive, Monday to Saturday 9.00am - 6.00pm and Sunday 11.00-5.00pm.

There have been considerable changes at Scott Sutherland in the last few years, as the school opens up more to the rest of the UK. The Big Crit initiative has been a great success and involved some of the country's most respected architects and writers in their end of year review.

The Master of Architecture course has architecture and urban design units run by Professors Gokay Deveci, Neil Gillespie and Alan Dunlop. The drawings above are by students from Professor Alan Dunlop's unit. The students in this unit are not allowed to use computers to develop their ideas and present their work. They must sketch, draw by hand and make models, quite a radical idea for a school of architecture in the 21st Century but it has resulted in some beautiful work and drawings and worth seeing.

Contractor appointed to deliver state-of-the-art aquatics centre for Aberdeen

The creation of a state-of-the art aquatics centre in Aberdeen has taken a major step forward with the appointment of a contractor to deliver the project.

http://www.aberdeensportsvillage.com/news/70/

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/images/364Pool3_rdax_800x566.jpg

Looks good from what little I've seen of it so far. Certainly be a welcome addition for NE swimmers.

Quite like where the Sports Village is situated, although its near the beach it seems quite hidden away amongst rows of houses.

http://local.stv.tv/aberdeen/news/19847-marischal-college-opens-its-doors-to-customers-for-first-time/

Marischal College opens its doors to customers for first time

Aberdeen City Council’s new headquarters in Marischal College will open its door to customers for the first time today.

A customer service centre will open on the ground floor at 10am giving residents the chance to visit the building for the first time since the start of a three-year restoration project.

The Council has leased two-thirds of the world's second largest granite building from the University of Aberdeen for 175 years for £4.7million to create the new offices.

The transformation of the historic building, which has involved 565,000 man-hours of work, has been completed on schedule and under budget. The original budget was set in 2006 at £80.4million but now looks likely to involve capital expenditure of around £65million.

City Council leader Councillor John Stewart, who chairs the Marischal College Project Board, said: "I am proud and delighted to say that the project has been a huge success. I and my fellow councillors kept an extremely tight grip on the finances from day one and we are now able to say that it has been completed bang on time and well under the original budget.

"A huge team of people worked hard as a productive partnership on the scheme - councillors, our own staff, architects, demolition crews, the construction company, civil and structural engineers, building services engineers, quantity surveyors and project managers.

"What we have collectively achieved is the completion of one of the most exciting construction projects in the whole of the UK and a civic building in which the people of Aberdeen can take enormous pride."

Aberdeen City Council chief executive Valerie Watts added: "The City Council has brought to fruition a remarkable project which has created a stunning new public building for all the people of Aberdeen. It will be admired far and wide by citizens and visitors alike and will become the iconic image for this proud city.”

The new customer service centre will provide the wide range of services currently offered at The Point next to St Nicholas House and will handle queries on council tax and benefits, housing applications and advice, debt advice, social care, homelessness services, registrar services and licensing.

The centre’s normal opening hours will be 8.30am-5pm.

The remainder of the City Council’s 1323-strong staff are expected to complete the move into Marischal College by the start of September.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/mcollege.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/_51507619_marischal_and_chaurch_bbc.jpg

Quite interested to see how it looks inside.

Second picture shows the contrast between the newly cleaned Marischal College and the adjacent Church. Apparently the council are in talks to acquire the building which will hopefully culminate in it being cleaned also.

I'm relatively young and I had no idea that granite was this colour. Cleaning the rest of the city centre should be a priority in my opinion.

Plans for major new business park in Aberdeen
Plans for a major new Aberdeen business park capable of accommodating 2400 workers have been revealed.

The development, situated on a 123-acre site to the west of Kingswells park and ride, will be the first purpose-built business park of its kind in the city.

Drum Property Group are locked in negotiations with a number of companies, with the first phase of the project predicted to be worth £300m a year to the local economy.

One "major" multinational firm is said to be close to agreeing a deal to move into the new park, with work expected to begin in 2012 pending planning permission.

Also included within the large business park will be a four-star hotel, shops as well as café facilities.

Graeme Bone, director of Drum Property Group, said: “Aberdeen doesn’t currently have a proper business park. What it has is a number of industrial estates which have evolved into office use over the last 30 years or so.

“There are a number of companies in Aberdeen who are currently in sub standard premises as a consequence of a lack of properly designed business land.

“We are very optimistic about the prospects for Aberdeen and the North Sea for the next few decades which has encouraged us to make this significant investment.

“We see this development as a natural progression for business space in the city, as the energy industry matures and looks forward to the next 30 or 40 years.”

Planning applications for the first two plots are expected to be lodged with Aberdeen City Council within the next few months.

http://local.stv.tv/aberdeen/news/262348-plans-for-major-new-business-park-in-aberdeen/

Shortlist picked for Aberdeen's £140m City Garden plan
BBC News 22nd July 2011

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52445000/jpg/_52445563_union_terrace_gardens.jpg

One of the world's leading firms of architects has been named as a finalist in the design competition to transform Aberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens.

Foster and Partners of London are among six teams now through to the second stage of the contest.

A total of 55 submissions were made for the £140m City Garden Project.

It follows an international design contest for the controversial project to raise the level of the Victorian gardens.

Other teams on the shortlist are Diller Scofidio and Renfro of New York, Snohetta from Oslo/Gareth Hoskins Architects of Glasgow, Gustafson Porter of London, and two from the Netherlands - Mecanoo and West 8.

It is hoped the proposals will go on show to the public later in the year.

Sir Duncan Rice, former principal of the University of Aberdeen who chaired the jury panel, said: "That the competition attracted high-level interest from around the world is a great compliment to Aberdeen city and shire.

"The jury agreed unanimously on the six finalists and is excited about the potential of their visions for the City Garden Project."

Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC), which is managing the contest, said the calibre of the submissions was "exceptional".

Aberdeen oil services tycoon, Sir Ian Wood, has pledged £50m of his own money for the project.

During an earlier public consultation process, 55% of respondents said they did not support the new square.

However, councillors backed taking the plans to the next stage.

Aberdeen City Council hopes construction of the square could be completed by 2016, if the project proceeds.

Shortlist

Foster and Partners (London)with Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architecture (Beirut)

Diller Scofidio and Renfro (New York) with Keppie Design (Glasgow)

Snøhetta (Oslo) with Gareth Hoskins Architects (Glasgow)

Gustafson Porter (London) with Niall McLaughlin Architects (London)

Mecanoo Architecten (Netherlands) with Cooper Cromar (Glasgow)

West 8 (Netherlands) with Archial Group (Aberdeen)

~o0o~

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14239790

Be interesting to see what they come up with for them. Would I be right in saying one of those mentioned is designing the new World Trade Center?

That 55% quote is a little misleading. I voted no on the proposal when all you had to go on was a poorly done mock up of a large concrete square. Wouldn't have voted no had I had been aware of the process to come.

I'm certain as well there has to include as much sq.footage of grass as is already in UTG.

House of Fraser to open new format store in Aberdeen

The 1,500sq ft store will be located within the Union Square shopping centre and is set to open in September. It is a fraction of the size of an average House of Fraser department store, which occupies around 100,000sq ft.

A House of Fraser spokesperson said that the new outlet is "an entirely new store concept" and forms part of the firm's "growing multi-channel offer". However, the retailer would not elaborate further on the new venture, explaining that an update will be given in due course.

A report in Retail Week suggests the new format store will used predominantly for click-and-collect purposes. It was also revealed that Hammerson, which owns and manages the Union Square shopping centre, has been looking at initiatives to make the most of opportunities in multi-channel retailing, including providing branded space for retailers' click-and-collect services.

Other retailers have also identified click-and-collect services as a strong area for growth. John Lewis now offers the function in all of its stores, as well as 24 Waitrose outlets. The retailer reported a 37.9% uplift in sales on johnlewis.com for the year ended January 29, 2011, boosted by the roll-out of click-and-collect. The function is also available in all of its smaller-format 'at home' stores, with internet terminals and collection points within the shops.

In June Sainsburys announced plans to double its number of click-and-collect outlets in a bid to grow non-food sales. It aims to have the service available in more than 800 stores by Christmas.

http://www.diyweek.net/news/news.asp?id=14903&title=House+of+Fraser+to+open+new+format+store

Mothballed Nicklaus golf course back on track
The Scotsman 10th August 2011

AMBITIOUS plans for a new Scottish golf course, designed by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, are back on track, it was revealed yesterday.

Proposals for a championship golf course designed by the Golden Bear, to become the centrepiece of a £40 million luxury housing and leisure development in Aberdeenshire had to be abandoned two years ago when Edinburgh-based FM Developments put ten of its subsidiaries into administration - including the division responsible for the Nicklaus project.

The company had announced that the Ury Estate at Stonehaven was to become home to only the second signature golf course in Scotland designed by Nicklaus, who in all won a record 18 golf majors.

But it has now been announced that the mothballed project is back on course following the sale of the estate to a new company, FM Ury, established by a former director of FM Developments.

A spokesman for Golden Bear, welcomed the announcement.

He said: "We at Nicklaus Design, including Mr Nicklaus, are pleased to have been provided with the opportunity to resume our association with the Ury Estate project in Scotland."

He added: "Mr Nicklaus has visited the site several times, and we believe that this special piece of property can be developed into an extraordinary golf course, and one which the people of the Aberdeen area will be proud of."

Richard Milne, a director of FM Ury, said: "We have got the estate back and we have got the designer Jack Nicklaus back. We will be fulfilling all our promises."

The original £40m development at the Ury estate was approved by Aberdeenshire Council's main planning authority, the infrastructure services committee, in June 2008.

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Mothballed-Nicklaus-golf-course-back.6815908.jp

The legal challenge on AWPR has been kicked out of court. Let's hope they don't drag it out any longer by appealing.

Second picture shows the contrast between the newly cleaned Marischal College and the adjacent Church. Apparently the council are in talks to acquire the building which will hopefully culminate in it being cleaned also. 4

It looked God-awful in the photographs, so I was happy to see that the contrast isn't all that awful in real life. Still, it'd be good to see the church being redone too: plus, it's of course a problem having it lying derelict.

In addition to the Kirk, the University now seems eager to offload its remaining parts of Marischal (basically the east wing, including the museum, the Mitchell Hall and so forth). I think that's incredibly negative and that the university should retain a city-centre location - perhaps use it as a base for co-operative activities with RGU or something.

They seem quite satisfied with graduations being held in the Elphinstone Hall at King's, a distinctly underwhelming venue in comparison. Losing what remains of Marischal would, I think, be very sad for the university.

Photos on flickr of the inside of the new Aberdeen University Library

http://www.flickr.com/photos/iainh124a/page5/

Dune are opening in Union Square in September..

I suspect the proposed Aberdeen bypass will be allowed to wither on the vine until the next Holyrood elections when Mr Salmond, ignoring the irony, will visit the town and remark upon its urgency for the local economy. Just as they bulked out their manifesto with some scant details about a proposed Northern Relief Road for Dundee.

Re the new Dons stadium. Is it just me, or do Aberdonians have a fascination with mixing red and grey in their buildings?

I suspect the proposed Aberdeen bypass will be allowed to wither on the vine until the next Holyrood elections when Mr Salmond, ignoring the irony, will visit the town and remark upon its urgency for the local economy. Just as they bulked out their manifesto with some scant details about a proposed Northern Relief Road for Dundee.

Re the new Dons stadium. Is it just me, or do Aberdonians have a fascination with mixing red and grey in their buildings?

The Aberdeen bypass is being held up by legal challenges. Similar to what happened with the M74 extension.

The Aberdeen bypass is being held up by legal challenges. Similar to what happened with the M74 extension.

Yup, after having their objections thrown out by the Court of Session they're about to appeal once again.

The wonders of democracy when a group of ten or so can delay and ruin it for everyone else. It will be fantastic in 3 months time or so when their final attention seeking, selfish appeal is thrown out and it can FINALLY be built.

Yes, held up by campaigners, and a cost that is spiralling upwards by the month. That said, the Executive doesn't have the original sum. Like the comparison with the M74, which may seek to infer a similar outcome. That was, however, passed and completed before the global crisis has cut costs. The SNP Exec. may agitate for borrowing powers to pay for it, but my guess is they'll find an excuse to kick it into the long grass. We'll see.

My worry is this will cause more urban sprawl, but i hope they use the motorway as a green belt buffer !. Considering the millions which has already been spent on upgrading the roads which will link the new motorway to existing roads i don't see them kicking it into the long grass, they are committed and Aberdeen is a growing business destination it needs this.

My worry is this will cause more urban sprawl, but i hope they use the motorway as a green belt buffer !. Considering the millions which has already been spent on upgrading the roads which will link the new motorway to existing roads i don't see them kicking it into the long grass, they are committed and Aberdeen is a growing business destination it needs this.

Here, here. This has been mooted for 40+ years now. If the Court of Session ruled in favour of the bypass the first time, it seems to be none other than a case of sour grapes from Road Sense to attempt an appeal. Hopefully this can be done as speedily as possible.

With regards to urban sprawl, I can't see that being anything to worry about in the near future anyway. Aberdeen is tiny, compared to the likes of Glasgow, the city would have to double in size before urban sprawl would be a possibility. Although there are a few projects hinging on completion of the AWPR.

Up to 2,000 jobs could be created at a new business park next to Aberdeen Airport, it has been claimed.

Plans for the £100m 54-acre construction at Dyce - called ABZ - have been unveiled, led by Ribnort.

The aim is to have the business park's units ready for occupation from summer next year.

George Stevenson, founding director of Ribnort, said: "Attracting new and retaining existing business in the north east is vital to the economy."

He added: "The site, which comprises the land between Dyce Drive, Aberdeen Airport and Wellheads Drive, is in an absolutely ideal position in terms of its location adjacent to the A96 and the future Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

"Securing a four-star hotel at ABZ will further boost the region's reputation as a tourism destination."

George Stevenson of Ribnort said it was an important venture
Airport managing director Derek Provan said: "I am delighted that after a number of years in the planning, Ribnort and Aberdeen Airport have been able to deliver a robust development plan for this site."

The land is earmarked for business park development in Aberdeen City Council's local development plan, and detailed planning permission is being dealt with.

Enterprise, planning and infrastructure convener Kate Dean said: "The city council is committed to providing much-needed high-quality development land to allow our industries to grow in order to help our local economy and to keep Aberdeen at the forefront of the Scottish and UK economies.

"This major scheme is an excellent example of the city council, the developer and Transport Scotland working together to secure major development in a strategic location close to Aberdeen Airport and the line of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14706704

Another Business park, looks pretty boring but that's the name of the game. It's funny they come from it will create 2400 job in July to now 2000 jobs.

http://local.stv.tv/aberdeen/news/262348-plans-for-major-new-business-park-in-aberdeen/

What i would like to see more of below.

Planning Consent Granted for Prominent Aberdeen City Centre Development

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn179/djmaxliving/Untitled-3.png

Stewart Milne Developments has welcomed the granting of planning consent for the redevelopment of the Triple Kirks site in Aberdeen to create 72,600 sq ft (6750 sq m) of Grade A office space in the heart of the Granite City.

The £40 million development will transform a site which has been derelict for four decades into the most desirable office location in the city. Designed by Aberdeen-based architects, Halliday Fraser Munro, the seven-storey building features contrasting glass and granite which will complement the local townscape, including the spire of the Triple Kirks which remains a focal point. The finished structure will be constructed with sustainability in mind, meeting the highest standards of both BREEAM and Energy Performance.

In creating a contemporary building that breathes new life into a key city centre site, the design team strategy was one of integration through the use of granite clad solid blocks reflecting the nature of surrounding properties. In addition, given the visibility of the site, maximising the views from the building and maintaining the view of the spire were paramount considerations. A limited palette of the highest quality durable materials has been proposed to ensure that the building forms an appropriate and long lasting addition to the unique location.

Commenting on the plans, Malcolm Deans, managing director of Stewart Milne Developments, said: “As the most prominent Grade A space that Aberdeen has ever seen, Triple Kirks is quite literally the best building on offer in the city for potential occupiers. With planning consent granted, we will be actively marketing the development and are confident that, with the current lack of office space of this quality and stature, we will secure a high profile pre-let.”

While the impact of recession has been felt across the UK, Aberdeen has weathered the storm better than other cities. With few commercial developments coming on stream in the city in recent years, many agents are concerned that supply will fall short of demand.

Angus MacCuish, managing director of joint letting agent FG Burnett, comments: “The Aberdeen commercial market is extremely buoyant and we are experiencing strong demand across all sectors, underpinned by a very active energy industry. Crucially, we require a ready stock of all grades of office and industrial space to be able to keep pace with demand and offer choice to prospective tenants.”

Paul Gee, chairman of CB Richard Ellis Aberdeen, adds: “The City Council’s decision to grant planning consent for the Triple Kirks redevelopment comes at an opportune time when there is a complete lack of modern Grade A office accommodation available in the city centre against the backdrop of a strong level of occupier demand.

“This landmark development provides an excellent opportunity for a company to acquire a prestigious HQ facility with exceptional views, benefiting from the wide variety of amenities available given its location in the heart of the city centre.”

http://www.allmediascotland.com/media_releases/31149/planning-consent-granted-for-prominent-aberdeen-city-centre-development

I agree with you djmaxliving, I would much prefer offices were kept within the city centre. Essentially the floors above every shop in Union Street could in theory be office space, so many are available to let. However it seems the trend is for out of town business parks.

I'm not a fan of that Triple Kirks development from the renders, however I'm hopeful it will look better once it has been completed. Plus it can't look much worse than what's there already.

Personally I'd like to see more buildings like Union Plaza popping up in Aberdeen;
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/slide2.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/portfolioOffices02_lg.jpg
Photos courtesy of McLeod-Aitken.com

Or the new IQ building on Justice Mill Lane;
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/IQ.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/baths.jpg
Photos courtesy of otheraberdeenblogspot.com

Personally think that these have much more going on for them than out of town business parks, city centre location and the like but the powers that be never seem too enthused by them.

djmaxliving - You mention a business park story which appeared in July, quoting 2400 jobs.

This is an entirely separate development to the proposals for ABZ - it's a different developer and also a different area of land.

I do apologies for my mistake. I should have read more of the story.

Petition against the AWPR appeal :

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/roadsense-stop-the-nonsense.html

Petition is up around the 10,000 mark, yet Road Sense are pressing on with their appeal regardless. This will probably hold it up for another six months.

They aren't even appealing against the road anymore, rather the consultation process. They also want their legal expenses capped. I genuinely hope the Court of Session deny them this, that should see them withdraw pretty quickly. No way should public funds be utilised for this anymore. What a farce.

Oh to live in some sort of communist utopia, no way this would have happened. :)

Chapelton of Elsick application for 9,000 home new town
BBC News 8th September 2011


http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/55215000/jpg/_55215800_chapleton_garden_close.jpg


An application has been submitted for a massive new town development in Aberdeenshire.

Developers want to build 9,000 homes at Chapelton of Elsick, about 10 miles south of Aberdeen, as well as school provision and retail space.

It would be situated at a 2,000-acre area of farmland near Newtonhill.

The application, by the Elsick Development Company (EDC), has gone to Aberdeenshire Council for consideration.

The land is owned by the Duke of Fife and the project is being managed by his son David Southesk.

Lord Southesk, director of the Elsick Development Company, said: "It has taken a great deal of work and commitment to get to this point.

"Chapelton will not only provide a substantial economic boost to the area, but offers an opportunity to create a new style of living that will undoubtedly provide home buyers with a vibrant community in the north east of Scotland.

"It's situated very close to the A90 corridor."

People living in the near by villages of Muchalls and Newtonhill have given it a broad welcome.

Community consultations have already been held, and a further council consultation on the planning documentation will now take place.

Objectors have focused on the loss of farmland.

It has been estimated that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire may need 75,000 more homes over the next 20 years to cope with demand.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14825343

Chapelton of Elsick application for 9,000 home new town

BBC News 8th September 2011


http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/55215000/jpg/_55215800_chapleton_garden_close.jpg


An application has been submitted for a massive new town development in Aberdeenshire.

Developers want to build 9,000 homes at Chapelton of Elsick, about 10 miles south of Aberdeen, as well as school provision and retail space.

It would be situated at a 2,000-acre area of farmland near Newtonhill.

The application, by the Elsick Development Company (EDC), has gone to Aberdeenshire Council for consideration.

The land is owned by the Duke of Fife and the project is being managed by his son David Southesk.

Lord Southesk, director of the Elsick Development Company, said: "It has taken a great deal of work and commitment to get to this point.

"Chapelton will not only provide a substantial economic boost to the area, but offers an opportunity to create a new style of living that will undoubtedly provide home buyers with a vibrant community in the north east of Scotland.

"It's situated very close to the A90 corridor."

People living in the near by villages of Muchalls and Newtonhill have given it a broad welcome.

Community consultations have already been held, and a further council consultation on the planning documentation will now take place.

Objectors have focused on the loss of farmland.

It has been estimated that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire may need 75,000 more homes over the next 20 years to cope with demand.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14825343


If the final product looks anything like that I will be pleasantly surprised. Looks promising.

At £200 a round - Donald Trump's 'best golf course in the world'

The Scotsman 10th September 2011

DONALD Trump has unveiled images of what he has promised will be the "world's greatest golf course", now nearing completion after six years under construction.

Ahead of tee-off in July next year, the images show the 13th, 14th and 18th holes all in pristine condition in the spectacular protected dune system of the Menie estate, in Aberdeenshire.

The course is the centrepiece of his plans for a £750 million resort and luxury housing development, next to one of the most environmentally sensitive stretches of Scottish coastline.

It has been carved through a 2.5 mile stretch of coast which he dubbed "the Great Dunes of Scotland".

The project has been dogged by controversy, with planning rows and protests from local residents.

However, Trump International Golf Links Scotland announced the finishing touches are now being put in place.

It also revealed that golfers planning to play Menie will pay up to £200 for the privilege - £50 more than the green fees announced for next year at the Old Course at St Andrews, the home of golf.

Fees have been set at £150 for a midweek round and £200 for a weekend.

But golfers who can prove they live in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire will receive a discount - playing midweek for £120 and £160 at the weekend.

Course designer Dr Martin Hawtree, who has previously worked on Royal Birkdale, Portmarnock, Lahinch and Carnoustie, said: "The quality of the course is starting to shine through. All the hard work though the winter is paying off.

"It has the space to hold a major tournament, and the length of the course will be a challenge."

He added that the 185-yard par-three sixth hole was his favourite on the course.

"It is probably not the most spectacular hole, but I am very fond of the sixth," he said

"It's not a long par three, but it plays over heather and marram banks, leading to a hole situated among a whole system of dunes."

Mr Trump has promised "everything will be in place" to bid for the Ryder Cup in 2022.

"We are building the best golf course anywhere in the world and it is always going to be a contender if they want it," he added.

http://news.scotsman.com/donaldtrump/At-200-a-round-.6833699.jp

The Donald
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/narkasit09/donald_trump.jpg

~o0o~

"The Great Dunes Of Scotland"

http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/images/dynamic/getImage.gif?ID=2350675&height=480

~o0o~

http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/images/dynamic/getImage.gif?ID=2249886&height=480

~o0o~

http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/images/dynamic/getImage.gif?ID=2249881&height=480

~o0o~

http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/images/dynamic/getImage.gif?ID=2080141&height=480

~o0o~

http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/images/dynamic/getImage.gif?ID=2249883&height=480

~o0o~

http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/images/dynamic/getImage.gif?ID=2405205&height=480

~o0o~

Trump International Golf Links (http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=308648&ssid=196900&vnf=1)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14857446

I had a look round the new library this morning and was absolutely blown away. It is a considerable improvement on the old library which is looking tired. There is still a lot of work to be done, especially outside and in the stairways. Some tree-planting would be nice also, as there is a bit much grey pavement outside for my liking. Well worth a visit though!

I had a look round the new library this morning and was absolutely blown away. It is a considerable improvement on the old library which is looking tired. There is still a lot of work to be done, especially outside and in the stairways. Some tree-planting would be nice also, as there is a bit much grey pavement outside for my liking. Well worth a visit though!

Some images from Urban Realm:


http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_1549.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_1550.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_1548.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3108/Aberdeen_University_Library_opens_to_the_public.html

Quite fond of that new Library. Sticks out like a sore thumb but its something different. Some greenery in front of it and think it would be quite nice.

A couple of bits of Aberdeen related news...

Date set for Aberdeen bypass court action
Campaigners against plans for the controversial Aberdeen bypass have been given a date in December to continue their court action.

Protest group Road Sense has lodged a fresh legal bid to block the construction of the £400m road.

Judge Lord Bonomy ruled that appeal judges should hear arguments from both sides over four days from 13 December.

The bypass was originally given the go-ahead by Scottish ministers in December 2009.

A judge previously ruled that there were no grounds to overturn the decision to allow the 28-mile Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) to go ahead.

Considering the latest appeal at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Lord Bonomy was told that the case was urgent.

Lorna Drummond QC, for Scottish ministers, said: "This is a project of substantial importance to the economy and infrastructure of the north east of Scotland."

She said ministers were "very keen" to make progress.


Ms Drummond also warned that compulsory purchase orders paving the way for the construction would expire in March.

The protest group and their chairman William Walton need to get a judge to cap their legal expenses, or face having to give up because of costs.

Andrew Smith QC, for the protesters, said: "Although I cannot say that the appeal will not proceed, it is highly unlikely it will proceed if the order is not granted."

Lord Bonomy ruled arguments from both sides would be over four days.

An online petition against the Road Sense objection has attracted more than 14,000 signatures.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14897537


Hopefully Road Sense will be told their costs won't be capped, they'll subsequently give up the appeal and the bloody thing can get started. I'm all for people having a right to protest, to appeal etc but personally I think they've been given an adequate chance to do that. Asking the tax payers to fund their appeal would be a real kick in the teeth.

Aberdeen vote expected on Union Terrace Gardens project

Aberdeen councillors are expected to vote on whether to put the controversial plans to transform Union Terrace Gardens out to a referendum.

Six design teams have been selected to compete for the £140m City Garden Project.

It follows an international design contest to raise the level of the Victorian gardens.

SNP councillor Kevin Stewart wants a public vote on whether to accept the winner of the competition.

The six teams are Foster and Partners of London, Diller Scofidio and Renfro of New York, Snohetta from Oslo/Gareth Hoskins Architects of Glasgow, Gustafson Porter of London, and two from the Netherlands - Mecanoo and West 8.

Sir Ian Wood, the Aberdeen oil services tycoon, has pledged £50m of his own money for the project.

During an earlier public consultation process, 55% of respondents said they did not support the new development.

However, councillors backed taking the plans to the next stage.

If the project proceeds, Aberdeen City Council hopes construction of the square could be completed by 2016.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14895407

Keen to see what the design teams have actually come up with for the space. I'm not particularly keen on UTG, it is criminally underused but at the same time I don't want a grey concrete square to take its place. Hopefully the designers have come up with something cost-effective but spectacular (or perhaps that's asking too much?).

Trump unveils Menie clubhouse design
Urban Realm 20th September 2011


Trump International – Scotland have unveiled the first images of a planned clubhouse building to stand as centrepiece of the Menie golf course.

A single storey mock gothic structure, some 1,600sq/m in size, it is a far cry from the tower of glass favoured by project masterplanner Gareth Hoskins, bearing instead the preferences of the schemes driving force – Donald Trump.

Clad in granite, slate and glass the structure is intended to complement the historic MacLeod House (which Trump has described as his “home”).

Douglas Forrest, director of Acanthus Architects df, said: “We’re extremely proud of the final design we have developed, working closely with Mr Trump and the wider team.”

Sarah Malone, Executive Vice President, Trump International – Scotland said: “The grand double height public spaces, with high and low level glazing, provide optimum light and sensational views across the Great Dunes of Scotland and North Sea. With luxurious Scottish interiors and a full range of services and facilities for golfers and visitors, this clubhouse will be second to none.”

Other architects were less impressed by the fruits of Acanthus Architects labours however, with one telling Urban Realm that the pile looked like a "mock Victorian asylum."

A planning application will be submitted to Aberdeenshire Council in the coming weeks.


http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/news_3125.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3125/Trump_unveils_Menie_clubhouse_design.html

Menie Clubhouse. Was this done by the same company that did the rear of John Lewis and the Bon accord 20-odd years ago. Or was it the folk that did Morrisons (nee Safeway) on King Street about the same time?

Menie Clubhouse. Was this done by the same company that did the rear of John Lewis and the Bon accord 20-odd years ago. Or was it the folk that did Morrisons (nee Safeway) on King Street about the same time?

I hope that windfarm is approved so Trump takes his golf & arrogant attitude elsewhere, Clubhouse at Castle Stuart's got the right Idea!

I hope that windfarm is approved so Trump takes his golf & arrogant attitude elsewhere, Clubhouse at Castle Stuart's got the right Idea!

You really think he's going to walk away after spending all that money due to a couple of windturbines?

Fail to see the problem with Trump? He's a total arse, that's a given, but I really like the idea of nipping up the road to watch (possibly) the Ryder Cup. The golf course will outlast him, unless he's a robot.

I found funny the part when he wrote a letter against the approval of the wind farm because they look ugly :lol:.

He added: "In any event, I think that my mother, Mary MacLeod, who was born in Stornoway, would be very proud of what I am doing for Scotland. It is not only for my project, it is more to preserve Scotland's beautiful coastline and natural heritage."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-14940814

Just the start ... still to follow maybe, a hotel, 500 houses and 950 holiday homes + whatever other infrastructure needs to follow.

Not sure if they are still going to do the 4 ea 8 storey blocks of holiday homes or if that has changed in the master plan. Potentially all in the same vernacular.

You really think he's going to walk away after spending all that money due to a couple of windturbines?.

Nah but it will be good to see what a total shitebag he is, trying to bully and intimidate everyone into getting his own way!

Reminds me of Secaucus rail station in NJ, USA. Breathtakingly hideous and pretentious.

A £10m extension of Aberdeen Airport's main runway has been officially opened, well ahead of schedule.

Work started in March and was expected to finish next summer, but was completed almost eight months early.

The length of the runway extension is 124m (406ft). Airport managing director Derek Provan said it followed years of "planning and hard work".

It is hoped the runway could open up new routes. Groups including Aberdeen Against Climate Change had objected.

Mr Provan said: "Today represents a milestone, not just for the airport but for the wider north east of Scotland.

"It is a major investment in securing the services our passengers want going forward."

Bob Collier, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "Congratulations to everyone involved in this project for bringing it in, so far ahead of schedule.

"It's fantastic news for the north east because it means that the airport, and everyone who uses it, will be able to reap the benefits of the new extension far earlier than was expected."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-15171962

Pittodrie Stadium, the home of Aberdeen FC for the past 107 years, is being put up for sale.

The club believes that listing the 13.7-acre site on the market takes the proposed move to a new £38m stadium at Loirston Loch a step closer.

Property consultants CBRE have been appointed to handle the sale.

A masterplan to develop 350 houses on the current site of the stadium has already been approved in principle by Aberdeen City Council.

Dons chief executive Duncan Fraser insists the club is aiming to be operating from its new home in time for the start of the 2013/14 season.

Fraser also confirmed that the naming rights for Aberdeen's new home have also been put up for sale, to raise additional capital for the club.

"While the sale of Pittodrie is the key element of our funding model for the new stadium at Loirston Loch, progress has also been made regarding the securing of naming rights," said Fraser.

"The other elements are the raising of fresh equity and, on the back of that, securing a mortgage."

The plans for the new stadium incorporate facilities capable of holding about 21,000 fans.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15188146.stm

Aberdeen councillors have voted to alter the city skyline dramatically by demolishing St Nicholas House, the former local authority headquarters.

Last night’s decision exposed a rift in the ruling administration after an SNP plan to test the market value of the site before tearing it down was narrowly defeated by Liberal Democrat coalition partners, backed by the opposition Labour group.

That relationship will be tested further when the parties sit down to negotiate the council budget for 2012-13, with questions remaining on how the £2million demolition cost will be covered.

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2469034

Aberdeen city councillors have voted to demolish St Nicholas House and put the cleared site on the market.

The successful motion was proposed by Deputy Council Leader Councillor John Stewart:

to agree to the demolition of St Nicholas House and to move to market the vacant site;
that the Council recognises that the decision to demolish St Nicholas House is made on the grounds that demolition will deliver significant regenerational, economic and environmental benefits to Aberdeen city centre and not on the narrow grounds of receiving the largest possible payment for the site;
in recognition of the importance of the St Nicholas House site to the future of the city centre, to instruct officers to explore options open to the Council to ensure any development of the site is of the highest quality and is sympathetic to Provost Skene's House and Marischal College; this should include consideration of the Council developing the site through a joint venture and the possibility of a design competition tender exercise.
Councillor Stewart said it was important for Aberdeen City Council to take the decision to clear the site to ensure the 14-storey former Council headquarters is demolished as soon as possible.

He said removing the building would bring significant economic and environmental benefits, and would deliver a major boost to the regeneration of the east end of the city centre. Councillor Stewart added that selling the site with the building still standing risked blighting the city centre with an empty structure, potentially for several years.

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CouncilNews/ci_cns/pr_stnix_061011.asp

Here's hoping they don't put up something as equally ugly in its place.

Not strictly architecture based, but good news for the North East.

BP has been given the go ahead to proceed with a new £4.5bn oil project west of the Shetland Islands.

The BP-operated scheme is an extension of the existing Clair oil field, and will also include investment by fellow oil firms Shell, ConocoPhillips and Chevron.

David Cameron said the news was a "massive boost for jobs and growth".

BP said it and its partners were now investing almost £10bn in North Sea oil and gas work over the next five years.

'Maintaining production'

BP said it would use the latest technology to maximise recovery from the new Clair Ridge project.

"Although it began over 40 years ago, the story of the North Sea oil industry has a long way yet to run," said BP chief executive Bob Dudley.

"After some years of decline, we now see the potential to maintain our production from the North Sea at around 200,000-250,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day until 2030.

"And we are working on projects that will take production from some of our largest fields out towards 2050."

The announcement of the £4.5bn Clair Ridge scheme comes after BP and its partners revealed plans earlier this year for a £3bn redevelopment of the Schielhallion and Loyal fields, also to the west of the Shetland Islands.

In addition, they are investing £700m in the development of the Kinnoull field in the central North Sea.

BP and German firm RWE are also continuing to invest £550m in the North Sea's Devenick gas field.

Taking all these projects together, BP says they will provide 3,000 jobs across the oil and gas supply chain.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15285441


David Cameron to visit oil reps in Aberdeen

Prime Minister David Cameron is due to meet oil and gas representatives in Aberdeen.

Mr Cameron said Aberdeen had been a destination for global investment for many years and he wanted to see that continue for decades to come.

He said the city continued to be at the forefront of new technology, new investment and world-class expertise.

He added that it showed a real "can do" energy and drive to stay ahead and break new ground.

The prime minister said the oil and gas industry was not only important for Britain's energy security, but was a major source of jobs and vital for future economic growth.

Mr Cameron added that there was still massive opportunity in the North Sea and he was determined to work closely with the industry in Aberdeen to maximise this and do what they could to promote further investment and exploration.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-15285587

Two new brands join Union Square fashion line-up

14 October, 2011

Dune and Hugo Boss are the latest brands to take space at Union Square in Aberdeen.

Hugo Boss, is opening a 3,100 sq ft menswear store offering BOSS Black, Green and Orange ranges complementing the existing fashion offer at Cruise in the city centre.

Footwear favourite Dune is also taking its first standalone store in Aberdeen. The 2,500 sq ft unit will be one of the first in the UK to feature its new store design which will have a fashion focus, highlighting the luxurious feel of the brand.
Sheila King, Hammerson director for group retail leasing said: “Dune and Hugo Boss are excellent additions to our retail mix which will strengthen the offer. Our focus on bringing aspirational retailers to the scheme is delivering results both in terms of footfall and sales.”

The Hammerson owned shopping centre has seen a 22 per cent year-on-year increase in footfall with 1.1 million extra consumers visiting Union Square in the first half of this year, compared to the same period last year. Sales have also seen steady growth, up 7.4 per cent in the six months to June 2011.

Culverwell and CBRE represented Hammerson and CWM acted on behalf of Hugo Boss.

http://www.shopping-centre.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/4747/Two_new_brands_join_Union_Square_fashion_line-up.html

Prince Charles has officially unveiled Aberdeen's new memorial to the Gordon Highlanders.

The Duke of Rothesay - the famous regiment's last colonel-in-chief - revealed the sculpture of two soldiers at a ceremony at the Castlegate.

He also met retired service personnel who had been invited to the ceremony.

The £125,000 monument has been paid for out of the city's Common Good Fund, and features Gordon Highlanders from different eras.

In 1994, the regiment was amalgamated to become part of the Highlanders.

In a speech at the ceremony, Prince Charles said: "When I was a child in the 1950s some of my earliest memories were of old Gordon Highlanders who had fought their way through the last war, some of them suffering terribly in Japanese prisoner of war camps, and then found their way back to Balmoral.

"These men formed an important part of my upbringing and so you can perhaps imagine what an enormously proud moment it was when Her Majesty appointed me as Colonel-in-Chief of the Gordon Highlanders."

Sculptor Mark Richards, who was been working closely with the Gordon Highlanders to produce the statue, expressed his satisfaction at the result.

He said: "I think it looks absolutely fabulous, better than I could ever have imagined."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-15304372

A 13-week public consultation has been launched by Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA), to discover what residents and stakeholders think of potential changes to its blueprint for the future.

The consultation is seeking views on a new report focusing on the issues facing the region over the next 25 years.

In 2009 the SDPA and both councils (Aberdeen City and Aberdeen Shire) had agreed a Structure Plan, mapping out their long-term plan. But, in accordance with changes in Scottish planning laws, the Strategic Development Planning Authority must now submit a Strategic Development Plan to Scottish Ministers in 2013.

Using the current structure plan as its foundation, the new report focuses on how both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire can tackle the impact of the global recession and climate change.

Highlighted in the report are a list of new groundbreaking proposals designed to generate sustained economic development, including plans for a strategic transport fund, the development of Peterhead as an electricity transmission hub and making provision for carbon capture and storage.

Chair of the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority, Councillor Peter Argyle, said: “This main issues report marks a significant step in delivering a strategic development plan to Scottish Ministers in 2013.

“The report proposes a new way of dealing with the effects of new developments on the transport network and highlights the importance of making changes to the way we manage our waste, as well as a range of exciting proposals.

The new strategic development plan aims to set out a framework to develop Aberdeen City and Shire up to 2035, mapping out a framework for the delivery of new homes, businesses, transport infrastructure and facilities to ensure continued prosperity.

In order to sustain development, the report highlights a groundbreaking proposal to generate more than £80 million for a strategic transport fund to deliver additional vital transport projects for the area.

All housing, business, industrial, retail and commercial leisure developments (subject to criteria) will be expected to make a contribution to the fund, which would be designed to create an estimated £86.6million central pot to improve transport projects expected to be completed by 2023.

Developers working in the city and main development corridors in Aberdeenshire would pay a fixed amount (depending on the nature and scale of development) to pay for the action needed. Under the present guidance the formula for contributions would equate to average contributions of £2,064 per house unit and £62,010 per hectare for non-residential uses.

Funds in the account will only be available for delivering strategic transport projects in identified locations, including detailed assessment, development and design work. An annual report will be published clearly setting out the balance sheet of the fund and the projects progressed during the year.

The consultation into the strategic transport fund runs in parallel with the strategic development fund for six weeks and will conclude on November 18.

Homes for Scotland, Grampian House Builders Committee and chartered surveyors across the North-east have already been consulted and given feedback.

In dealing with climate change, the long-term aim remains to generate 100% of the electricity the City and Shire needs from renewable sources by 2020, with detailed proposals for energy and water efficiency.

In order to meet the waste management targets imposed by the Scottish Government, the main issues report proposes Aberdeen City and Shire seek significant new waste-management facilities in a range of locations and use a number of innovative technologies to process and treat waste.

The new report highlights a range of additional major projects to attract investment, support growth and deal with climate change - helping achieve the vision for Aberdeen City and Shire. These include:

Carbon Capture and Storage, focusing on Peterhead Power Station and other locations
Electricity Transmission Hub, allowing Peterhead to become a focal point in the electricity transmission network with links to England and other European countries as well as offshore renewable generation
National Renewables Infrastructure Plan – using Aberdeen and Peterhead Harbours as a “subsea cluster”, capable of utilising its expertise in serving the energy sector through installing, operating and maintaining windfarms using land near the ports.
The 13-week consultation period on the main issues report into the strategic development plan will last until January 6, 2012, after which responses will be reviewed and a proposed strategic development plan prepared.

A six-week consultation on the strategic transport fund will last until 18 November 2011.

To take part in the consultations visit www.aberdeencityandshire-sdpa.gov.uk

http://www.compropscotland.com/index.php/article/consultation_begins_on_25-year_north-east_plan

Designs for the controversial plans to transform Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen have been revealed to the public.

Six design teams have been selected to compete for the £140m City Garden Project.

It follows an international design contest to raise the level of the Victorian gardens.

An exhibition of the plans is to open on Wednesday at The Academy on Belmont Street.

The six teams are Foster and Partners of London, Diller Scofidio and Renfro of New York, Snohetta from Oslo/Gareth Hoskins Architects of Glasgow, Gustafson Porter of London, and two from the Netherlands - Mecanoo and West 8.

A winner is expected to be announced in November.

Malcolm Reading, of Malcolm Reading Consultants, which is running the design competition, said: "The finalists have a track record in designing spaces which intrigue, excite and refresh people.

"I would encourage people to go and see the designs to find out first-hand what is being proposed for the city centre."

Sir Ian Wood, the Aberdeen oil services tycoon, has pledged £50m of his own money for the project.

There has been opposition to the project. During an earlier public consultation process, 55% of respondents said they did not support the new development.

However, councillors backed taking the plans to the next stage.

The local authority is now considering a possible referendum on the issue.

Councillor Martin Greig, a well known critic of the development proposals, said: "People have lost faith in the whole process. The project already asked the public for their views and the response was a definite rejection.

"All around our city there are streets, schools, parks and other public facilities deteriorating seriously due to lack of income into the council's budget. These should be the priority."

If the project proceeds, Aberdeen City Council hopes construction of the city gardens could be completed by 2016.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-15344633

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/_56120970_gardensteam_1.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/design1.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/_56120971_gardensteam_2.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/_56120972_gardensteam_3.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/_56120973_gardensteam_4.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/_56120974_gardensteam_5.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/_56121345_gardensteam_6.jpg

Photos courtsey of the BBC

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/a-great-solution-for-a-problem-that-doesn-t-exist-1.1130012

A great solution for a problem that doesn’t exist
Comment John Glenday
19 Oct 2011

ABERDEEN’S oil bonanza has thus far failed to make an impact on the city’s built fabric, a failing which the city’s resident oil baron, Sir Ian Wood, is keen to put right with these half dozen design solutions for Aberdeen City Garden – each an eloquent solution to a problem which doesn’t exist.

The Gardens in their present form already provide a green oasis in the Silver City, suggesting that Sir Ian might be leading the city up the garden path with his own scheme, which must bridge a funding shortfall via a controversial Tax Increment Financing scheme.

Nonetheless, if the premise of the competition is accepted – that an expensive engineering effort to deck over the Denburn Valley is a necessity, then there are some highlights to be found here, notably the multi-tiered cobweb of granite pathways evident in scheme one, above, middle. It is a genuine effort to take public squares into the third dimension and one which holds promise.

The layered approach effectively opens up hidden lower levels and the series of interconnected pathways navigate the tight topography of the site whilst opening up new pedestrian through routes from the primary artery of Union Street.

This contrasts with team three, above left, which has fallen flat (literally) with a subterranean sunken street. Snaking its way alongside the traffic choked Denburn Valley the dual carriageway here remains open to the elements, allowing Union Bridge to be transformed into the dramatic maw of a subterranean roadway. Design four, above right, meanwhile provides sight of a simpler life, offering an idyllic undulating meadow, which gently spans the site gradient – at the expense of permeability to the undercroft beneath.

Aberdeen demands a set piece public space, a place where residents and locals can congregate in fair weather and foul, escape the chaos of the city and broaden cultural horizons. But with full funding to be obtained, it is likely this scheme will remain but a pie in the sky of Sir Ian’s mind’s eye.

John Glenday is the editor of Urban Realm magazine

Some of these are designs that only a mother could love.

The first phase of work to improve Aberdeen city centre has begun.

More than two thirds of firms in the area voted in favour of a Business Improvement District (BID) earlier this year.

The companies agreed to pay into a fund with the aim of raising more than £3m for work to help attract more visitors.

The first phase of work includes cleaning guttering and building facades to help improve the city centre in the run-up to Christmas.

Chairman of the BID, John Michie, said: "I think there has been a lot of criticism about Union Street in particular.

"When you look around and look up you will see that lots of gutters have grass and weeds growing out of them and we were challenged, as one of the very first things, would we address that."

He added: "But there are very much more major projects lying behind that, which will take more time to deliver of course."

Enhancing environment

The initiative is expected to raise about £3.5m for projects over the BID's initial five-year lifespan, after which businesses will be balloted again to discover if a majority want it to carry on.

It is hoped it will deliver projects which benefit trade by boosting the promotion of the city centre, improving its services and enhancing its fabric and environment.

Eligible businesses within the BID footprint will pay a levy of 1% of their non-domestic rateable value annually.

The money will be collected by Aberdeen City Council and passed to the Aberdeen BID Development Co Ltd.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-15404402

House of Fraser returns to Aberdeen

Friday, 21 October 2011

http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/images/stories/news2011/house-of-300b.jpg

Premium department store, House of Fraser marks a return to Aberdeen today, October 21, after a nine year gap with its first new concept store, House of Fraser.com. The innovative new store is the first of its kind and will focus on House of Fraser’s Buy & Collect proposition. The store format sits at 1,500 sq ft and doesn’t feature any stock merchandise, just a series of iPads, computers and interactive screens so customers can order products, which are then delivered the following day to either the customer’s home or to the store for collection.

“Aberdeen is a thriving city and we’re extremely excited to be returning there with our first House of Fraser.com store,” says Robin Terrell, Exec Director of Multi Channel, House of Fraser. “This is an entirely new concept and the launch is a pivotal moment in the development of our multi channel business, which has seen online sales increase by 107% in the first half of the year.”

Personal customer service is key to the overall concept, with a complimentary coffee bar and comfortable seating encouraging a relaxed shopping environment. Inspired by the level of service given by hotel concierge, the store offers a virtual personal shopping facility as well as traditional department store features such as wedding list and beauty testers. Fitting rooms will also be provided so customers can try on items before taking them home.

House of Fraser.com offers customers direct access to over 1,000 brands stocked on House of Fraser’s recently redesigned website, which include exclusives such as Biba and Mary Portas’ label.

The Aberdeen store is located in the Union Square shopping centre, which is owned and managed by Hammerson, and its UK Retail MD, Lawrence Hutchings added: “To have secured the first pure buy and collect concept store in the UK is not just important for the centre – it also has the potential to shake up the retail sector. Shopping is no longer a linear process and the majority of purchases are now informed by more than one channel as consumers increasingly spend more time online and increasingly prefer to collect in store, which drives footfall and additional sales for our retailers. Union Square has a strong customer catchment and adding House of Fraser to the retail line up will considerably strengthen our offer.”

Further House of Fraser.com stores are planned, the next being in Liverpool One, which will open later this year.

http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/fashion-news/fashion/house-of-fraser-returns-to-aberdeen-2011102113185

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6265525989_338328259c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/egfocus/6265525989/)
House of Fraser new concept store, Aberdeen (http://www.flickr.com/photos/egfocus/6265525989/) by EG Focus (http://www.flickr.com/people/egfocus/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6117/6265525761_8358d67378_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/egfocus/6265525761/)
House of Fraser new concept store, Aberdeen (http://www.flickr.com/photos/egfocus/6265525761/) by EG Focus (http://www.flickr.com/people/egfocus/), on Flickr

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-15453062

A new Scottish Airline based in Aberdeen...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-15453062

A new Scottish Airline based in Aberdeen...

Very much doubt it will happen. BMI are a total basket case and are losing money hand over fist.

Very much doubt it will happen. BMI are a total basket case and are losing money hand over fist.

Surely that would make it more likely that Lufthansa would jettison it, if they're losing money on it, would it not? Or am I reading the article wrong?

They would expect to disentangle the new Aberdeen airline from the Lufthansa Star Alliance, and to look for new allies, probably in Scandinavia, with which to open up new long-haul options for Scottish business travellers.

Allies such as Scandinavian Airlines? Who are a founding member of, er, Star Alliance....

Lufthansa will be starting 3 flights a day to Frankfurt from Aberdeen in a few days time. Approx the same number of seats as BMI regional send to LHR every day.

http://www.thepinnacleaberdeen.co.uk/

Where have we heard that name before?

I'm sure it will dwarf the one in London :)

Doesn't exactly blend in, still continued construction in Aberdeen, new jobs, office space etc etc. Only a good thing really.

I'd love to see a photo of Shiprow from 20 or so years back. Vue Cinema, Tiger Tiger, Casino, City Wharf, Maritime Museum and now this all been relatively recent additions.

The Pinnacle points to Aberdeen’s future

A major new Aberdeen office development has been unveiled.

Designed as a city landmark, The 100,000 sq ft Pinnacle Aberdeen is located between Shiprow and the Adelphi, with large open plan offices overlooking Aberdeen Harbour and Union Street – making it one of the largest office developments in the city centre.

The owners of the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel are behind the office development, which is being marketed as a potential global headquarters for a major organisation.

Spread over 10 floors, the complex is adjacent to the existing hotel and serviced apartments. It will include retail and leisure space as well as conference space for up to 500 delegates, plus 82 underground car parking spaces, roof terraces and three lifts.

Designed by architects Keppie Design, The Pinnacle Aberdeen will make extensive use of glass and granite to blend with its historic neighbours, including Aberdeen Maritime Museum and Aberdeen City Council’s new headquarters at Marischal College.

The building was granted full planning permission by Aberdeen City Council earlier this year. Work is due to start in the spring, with completion scheduled for the end of 2013.

Mary Martin, director of the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel, said: “We are confident that there is nothing else like The Pinnacle Aberdeen in terms of space, light and – most of all – its location, just a few minutes’ walk from the train and bus stations and Union Street and Union Square. It also sits on the edge of the Merchant Quarter, with its quirky art cafes, bars and restaurants.

The sustainable Grade A office space will have excellent BREEAM ratings, reflecting its environmental credentials.

“The concept is that all you and your team could need from your global headquarters is available under one roof, with good transport links literally on your doorstep,” said Mary Martin.

“When we bought the hotel six years ago we always knew there was potential for development when the time was right. Its great location and Aberdeen’s excellent economy put us in a very strong position.”

Bob Collier, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “A development such as this with its potential to breathe new life into the city centre by providing a working environment for up to 1,000 people would be very welcome.

“Not only will they bring a spending power to benefit other city businesses but they will bring a renewed vibrancy to the north end of Union Street which will add to the city’s aspirations to rejuvenate its city centre.”

The Pinnacle Aberdeen is being marketed for lease by Ryden and CBRE.

http://www.compropscotland.com/index.php/article/the_pinnacle_points_to_aberdeens_future

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/biggallery04.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/biggallery09.jpg

Photos courtest of http://www.thepinnacleaberdeen.co.uk/

Three energy firms have announced major plans to establish new offices in the outskirts of Aberdeen.

Apache North Sea Ltd, Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd and Transocean Drilling UK Ltd hope to be based at the Prime Four business park at Kingswells.

Drum Property Group said investing more than £100m for the complexes would create a new energy hub.

Drum director Graeme Bone said: "We are delighted to have attracted companies of this stature and reputation."

He explained: "Our economic consultants have estimated that this phase, when fully operational, will sustain around 1,200 jobs locally and be worth £300m a year to the local economy.

"The long-term nature of the commitments at Prime Four anchors many billions of pounds of economic output and thousands of jobs in Aberdeen for years to come.

"This is a very significant development not just in local terms but also for Scotland generally."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-15590467

All hangs on the construction of the A.W.P.R. I would have thought.

All hangs on the construction of the A.W.P.R. I would have thought.[/QUOTE]

Yup I would have thought so. If the road continues to stall, these companies may not want to relocate from their current Aberdeen bases and may end up sprucing up the buildings where they are.

Yup I would have thought so. If the road continues to stall, these companies may not want to relocate from their current Aberdeen bases and may end up sprucing up the buildings where they are.

True. I still think the AWPR will go ahead, if the courts didn't find a problem in the first instance, I don't see why they would uphold an appeal. Personally I'd prefer offices and the like were kept within/close to the city centre, but can't stand in the way of progress I suppose.

True. I still think the AWPR will go ahead, if the courts didn't find a problem in the first instance, I don't see why they would uphold an appeal. Personally I'd prefer offices and the like were kept within/close to the city centre, but can't stand in the way of progress I suppose.

I tend to agree with you. Aberdeen needs a strong and vibrant centre and pushing businesses out to the periphery is not the answer.

I tend to agree with you. Aberdeen needs a strong and vibrant centre and pushing businesses out to the periphery is not the answer.

Aberdeens problem is that all the industy and offices are concentrated in Dyce and Altens approx 10 miles apart amd one big traffic jam between them from 4 till 7pm every day. Funnily enough the traffic heading into the centre of Aberdeen on a weekday morning is about as light as you will find in the entire week.

The bypass is required to connect the two industrial areas but in my opinion it is too far out to carry normal aberdeen journeys between any areas other than the 2 mentioned above.

The pattern just now is definately for city centre office buildings and there have been a fair few 5-10 storey hotel and office developments in the centre over the last few years. Hopefully with this record price of oil someone might come in with a speculative office development 10 - 20 storeys its about time they had some new high rise in Aberdeen to complement the existing towers that cover the city.

Aberdeens problem is that all the industy and offices are concentrated in Dyce and Altens approx 10 miles apart amd one big traffic jam between them from 4 till 7pm every day. Funnily enough the traffic heading into the centre of Aberdeen on a weekday morning is about as light as you will find in the entire week.

The bypass is required to connect the two industrial areas but in my opinion it is too far out to carry normal aberdeen journeys between any areas other than the 2 mentioned above.

The pattern just now is definately for city centre office buildings and there have been a fair few 5-10 storey hotel and office developments in the centre over the last few years. Hopefully with this record price of oil someone might come in with a speculative office development 10 - 20 storeys its about time they had some new high rise in Aberdeen to complement the existing towers that cover the city.

With regards to the bypass I'm sure the thinking behind it is to allow access from one end of the city to the other without ever needing to go through the city centre. The commuters entering the city from the South entrance heading to Westhill, Dyce and the like would get the biggest advantage IMO. Obviously until it is built though this is all conjecture.

As for office blocks, I'm not sure what I feel either way. With the construction of Jury's Inn, Union Plaza, Talisman building, City Wharf etc, buildings seem to be getting higher. However on the other hand the towers of any great height in Aberdeen are absolutely awful. St.Nicholas House and the various residential tower blocks are a blight IMO. I'd be all for a couple of black, glass office blocks but I'd be slightly worried they would take on the appearance of the monstrosities we already have.

With regards to the bypass I'm sure the thinking behind it is to allow access from one end of the city to the other without ever needing to go through the city centre. The commuters entering the city from the South entrance heading to Westhill, Dyce and the like would get the biggest advantage IMO. Obviously until it is built though this is all conjecture.

As for office blocks, I'm not sure what I feel either way. With the construction of Jury's Inn, Union Plaza, Talisman building, City Wharf etc, buildings seem to be getting higher. However on the other hand the towers of any great height in Aberdeen are absolutely awful. St.Nicholas House and the various residential tower blocks are a blight IMO. I'd be all for a couple of black, glass office blocks but I'd be slightly worried they would take on the appearance of the monstrosities we already have.

As for the bypass it does not connect North with South very well it is far too far out. People would still travel from Torry and Kincorth to B.O.D through the town rather than a 20 mile detour. If anyone doesnt know Aberdeen well these are the most Southern and Northern housing estates that make up Aberdeen proper. Apart from Altens to Dyce the only areas to benifit will be the outlying suburban towns and villages such as Cove, Porthlethen, Westhill and Cults with low population and who already use a network of B roads as a bypass anyway. With the new Don crossing areas such as B.O.D wont see much benifit as most of the traffic from peterhead etc is citybound anyway and there is already a back road to Dyce.

As for tall buildings St Nicolas house is an eyesore and dwarfs Marshical college even though it is TALLER. Some of the older tower blocks look much better painted white. The ideal place for new high rise is down behind Union square an area just waiting for development.

http://i40.************/a40dj7.jpg
Ok the above route in red would be much more effective.


http://i43.************/208bdll.jpg

Apart from dyce the new bypass is a 30 mile detour for anyone living in Aberdeen City

http://i40.************/a40dj7.jpg
Ok the above route in red would be much more effective.


http://i43.************/208bdll.jpg

Apart from dyce the new bypass is a 30 mile detour for anyone living in Aberdeen City
Hate to point out the obvious, but it is a bypass route.

Surely that's just the point. This isn't for people who live in Aberdeen. It's for the folks who live north of Aberdeen, and for all the road-freight that needs to be shifted around, seeing that rail-freight in the north of Scotland is embarrasingly non-existent.

Hate to point out the obvious, but it is a bypass route.

Surely that's just the point. This isn't for people who live in Aberdeen. It's for the folks who live north of Aberdeen, and for all the road-freight that needs to be shifted around, seeing that rail-freight in the north of Scotland is embarrasingly non-existent.



The route in Red above is also a bypass route but it will also take the strain of the extremely heavily congested A90 through the city which is also funnily enough a bypass. The majority of the traffic that uses this route is Aberdeen north to south so whats the point replacing it if none of this traffic can use it and still leave eveyone in Aberdeen with the massive congestion problem which is why they have been calling for the bypass for years.

Road frieght in Aberdeenshire is generally from aberdeen to wherever or aberdeen to the south as any traffic for the north of scotland would go up the A9 anyway.

What im trying to say is yes the existing route would connect Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Ellon, Inverurie and Westhill well with Stonehaven, Dundee and Edinburgh but these are generally not the most common journeys in this part of the world. In my opinion the bypass should really connect the outlying housing estates of Aberdeen such as B.O.D, Danestone, Bucksburn, Northfield, Mastrick, Gathdee, Kincorth, Torry with firstly Dyce & Altens where a large percentage of the population works and secondly with the Airport and routes North and South.

In my opinion the bypass should really connect the outlying housing estates of Aberdeen such as B.O.D, Danestone, Bucksburn, Northfield, Mastrick, Gathdee, Kincorth, Torry with firstly Dyce & Altens where a large percentage of the population works and secondly with the Airport and routes North and South.

I see where you're coming from Happily Insane, but there's nothing to say this couldn't happen at later date. Of course given how long it has taken to get this far I wouldn't hold my breath, but the opportunity to do this in the future would probably be available.

Scottish Enterprise has funded a major study into establishing if a test plant could be built between Aberdeen and Peterhead, which is expected to be undertaken by March next year.

The geothermal plant, which would use high temperatures found miles underground to generate electricity, could form part of the Energetica project designed to position Aberdeen City and Shire’s as a global energy hub by creating a 30-mile corridor between Aberdeen and Peterhead of energy technology companies, housing and leisure facilities.

The earth’s temperature rises by around 150C four miles underground but this can increase to 210C in areas where there is granite, making ideal conditions to produce geothermal energy.

Scientists have identified locations near Peterhead, Inverurie and Stonehaven where such conditions may exist.

Energetica project director Sara Budge says "As part of our quest to make Energetica a world-class, all-energy destination, we are exploring various avenues for generating renewable energy in the corridor which stretches north from the Bridge of Don up to Peterhead and west to Aberdeen Airport.

"Geothermal is one source we are considering. We have just issued a tender to appoint an appropriate organisation to undertake a feasibility study into the potential for geothermal heat generation within Energetica but also in other locations across Aberdeenshire."

http://local.stv.tv/aberdeen/news/278488-study-to-establish-if-aberdeen-granite-could-be-used-for-geothermal-energy/

I see where you're coming from Happily Insane, but there's nothing to say this couldn't happen at later date. Of course given how long it has taken to get this far I wouldn't hold my breath, but the opportunity to do this in the future would probably be available.

That will never happen if it does would render the proposed AWPR a complete waste of money. Why build 2 when you only need 1 I cant think why it needs to be between 5-15 miles out from the edge of the city.

Its still not to late to change it.

That will never happen if it does would render the proposed AWPR a complete waste of money. Why build 2 when you only need 1 I cant think why it needs to be between 5-15 miles out from the edge of the city.

Its still not to late to change it.

Why would it render it a waste of money? Who said anything about building two?

It's that distance away from the city because, as has been pointed out in this thread, it's a bypass.

Double post.

I see where you're coming from Happily Insane, but there's nothing to say this couldn't happen at later date. Of course given how long it has taken to get this far I wouldn't hold my breath, but the opportunity to do this in the future would probably be available.

I took this to mean build a second one at a later date anyways its not called a bypass its called a Western Peripheral Route, peripheral meaning edges of a city.

If this lastest appeal is upheld it would be a good opportunity to change the route otherwise its too late.

Two teams battle for Aberdeen's City Garden Project
BBC News 23rd November 2011

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/56869000/jpg/_56869686_city_garden_split.jpg



Two designs called Granite Web and Winter Garden will go head-to-head to win the competition to transform Aberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens.

An international contest was held to find a design for the high-profile £140m City Garden Project, which saw six teams shortlisted.

The teams behind the two favourite designs have now been asked to clarify the costs and viability.

A decision on the winning design is expected to be made in January.

BBC Scotland revealed one of the two favoured designs earlier this month.

Malcolm Reading, of Malcolm Reading Consultants - the organiser of the international design competition, said: "The jury was faced with six designs of exceptional and consummate design quality.

"The jury's unanimous decision at this stage is that further clarification work should be done by two design teams."

More here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-15841626

Scotland’s largest group of Category 'A' Listed buildings at risk, the Broadford Works in Aberdeen, is set for regeneration and restoration.

A planning application has been submitted to restore the vast abandoned site, to create a major mixed-use scheme. Proposals include residential development, retail space, places to eat, a nursery, and new public spaces that will allow public access for the first time in its history.

A cross-sector Steering Group, led by The Prince's Regeneration Trust, has put together the proposed strategy which will be delivered in phases over time.

Other members of this group include site owner Ian Suttie, Aberdeen City Council, Historic Scotland, Tenant First House Co-operative, and architects and planning consultants, Halliday Fraser Munro. The National Trust for Scotland Little Houses Improvement Scheme has been involved in later stages of the Steering Group.

The 3.5 hectare site contains over 100 buildings and stands close to Aberdeen city centre, where its chimneys and tall mill buildings are a distinctive feature of the city sky-line, yet the complex has stood redundant and neglected for the last seven years.

Its industrial heritage includes the principal six textile mill buildings. Largely constructed of granite and brick, the mills document the history of flax manufacturing in Aberdeen from the early nineteenth-century.

One of the most historically and architecturally significant buildings is the Grey Mill (1808), which has suffered hugely from vandalism and theft. As the oldest iron-framed mill in Scotland, and the fourth oldest in the world, the developers argue that it is imperative that urgent repair work goes ahead.

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of The Prince's Regeneration Trust, said: "This planning application is, hopefully, the start of regenerating this impressive industrial heritage site and bringing it back into the community for people to enjoy. The steering group wants to honour the site's industrial heritage, while creating a contemporary mixed-use site that will greatly improve the facilities and opportunities available to the people of Aberdeen."

Ian Suttie, the owner of Broadford Works, said: "The support given to this application has been extremely helpful for all participants. Each party has been able to present their priorities in a spirit of reaching a workable consensus."

Mike Scott, Historic Scotland’s senior heritage management officer, said that given the large number of listed buildings involved and complexity of the site, Historic Scotland supports the proposed planning strategy.

Gordon McIntosh, Aberdeen City Council's director of enterprise, planning and infrastructure, said: “There has always been a tremendous appetite to transform such a historic industrial site in the city, so that it can be enjoyed by the people of Aberdeen for years to come.”

http://www.compropscotland.com/index.php/article/princes_regeneration_trust_aberdeen_broadford_works

Aberdeen-based Knight Property Group has secured £45million in funding from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to continue the purchase and development of prime acreage throughout Aberdeen city and shire for its development of commercial property.

The commercial property specialist has developed more than 10 acres since the start of 2010, with several developments commenced on a speculative basis yet snapped up before completion. The Group achieved the biggest letting in Aberdeen last year for the lease of 33,483 square foot at Westpoint Business Park, Westhill, to exploration and production company TAQA Bratani.

James Barrack, chairman and Managing Director of Knight Property Group, said: “There is a massive demand for commercial property in the area, particularly from energy companies looking to set up a base in Aberdeen, Europe’s oil and gas capital. Aberdeen is a popular business location, but there is not a fraction of the square footage of required office space available to meet demand.

“We have consistently developed office and industrial space throughout the recession, in response to the lack of well-located quality accommodation in the city – and to cater for the current and forecasted growth in demand.”

The RBS deal means that Knight is now fully funded to purchase and develop land in prime locations, providing grade A commercial properties where possible. Knight is currently seeking sites with a view to land purchase, site development and property redevelopment.

Stuart Heslop, RBS head of real estate finance in Scotland, said: “Knight Property Group has an excellent track record in the city and James and his team have a fantastic reputation for meeting the needs of firms who are actively looking for new space. This will undoubtedly benefit the local and wider Scottish economy for years to come."

http://www.compropscotland.com/index.php/article/knight_property_group_secures_45m_funding_from_rbs

Why does Aberdeen not have a long list of office developments within the city centre? Glasgow City Centre is filling up with them and it adds hugely to the look and feel of the city.

Most of the oil companies seem to prefer business parks out of town. What a waste of an opportunity.

Why does Aberdeen not have a long list of office developments within the city centre? Glasgow City Centre is filling up with them and it adds hugely to the look and feel of the city.

Union Plaza, City Wharf, the IQ Building (which set a rent record in Scotland) have all been built recently but you're correct. I'd imagine there's limited room within the centre and developing would involved bulldozing property already there. All the Oil & Gas companies are on the edge of the city, offers more parking and would be cheaper as well I'd imagine.

It may be working in Glasgow but I wouldn't say putting up new offices would necessairly enhance the centre of Aberdeen?

Most of the oil companies seem to prefer business parks out of town. What a waste of an opportunity.

The oil companies want to have easy access to the heliport and to the industrial sites. BP's office in Dyce is walking distance from the Bond Helicopters terminal and Wellhead Drive and is a short drive to the Kirkhill Industrial Estate on the other side of the airport.

Modern city centres are really more for tertiary industry.

Stewart Milne loses controversial land deal appeal
BBC News 7th December 2011

Aberdeen housebuilder Stewart Milne has lost an appeal at the Supreme Court in London over a controversial land deal.

The Stewart Milne Group paid Aberdeen City Council more than £350,000 for the plot in Westhill in 2004.

The council was entitled to receive a share of profits if it was sold on.

The authority argued the plot was hugely undervalued when it was resold in 2006 for almost £500,000. The Court of Session later ruled that it had a market value of more than £5.5m.

The Stewart Milne Group was ordered by Scottish judges to pay the local authority £1.7m.

The group appealed against that ruling, but the Supreme Court has now ruled in favour of the council.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-16055905

A new gourmet pan-Asian restaurant is opening in Aberdeen’s Union Square, creating 50 jobs.

COSMO has chosen to open its first restaurant in Scotland at the shopping centre and is expected to begin recruiting in January with a view to opening in the first quarter of 2012.

A Union Square 2011 exit survey questioned 574 shoppers and highlighted a Chinese restaurant as the most popular choice of new restaurant to open in the centre.

Union Square’s general manager Ryan Manson said: “We are constantly looking to improve our customer experience and that means responding to what consumers are telling us, in this case, by bringing a taste of China to the centre.

“It’s fantastic to add to our existing line-up of 23 restaurants and other eateries and we look forward to welcoming COSMO to Union Square in early 2012.”

Union Square also announced the signing of popular baker, Greggs, which has just opened a branch in the east mall area of the centre.

COSMO chefs create Eastern dishes from seven countries (China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, Singapore, Vietnam and India) and specialise in live cooking demonstrations so customers can watch their food being prepared as part of the dining experience.

http://local.stv.tv/aberdeen/news/business/21917-new-asian-restaurant-to-create-50-jobs/

A £100m business park adjacent to Aberdeen Airport is beginning to rise from the ground after MTM Construction was awarded the infrastructure contract by Ribnort.

Designed by Halliday Fraser Munro this first phase of works encompass 54 acres, with an additional 20 acres to the south earmarked for a potential future phase.

Some 750,000sq/ft of commercial space; including warehousing, industrial and office uses are planned for the site, which is also suitable for hotel use.

Marketed as ABZ. occupation of the first units is hoped to rake place in the Autumn of 2012.

Doug Milne, managing director of MTM Construction, said: “Commercial projects of this scale are just not happening in the north-east, so we are very pleased to continue our long-standing work with the Ribnort team on a site which delivers vital economic development potential for the region.”

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3255/Groundworks_commence_at_Aberdeen_Airport_business_park.html

http://www.abzbusinesspark.com/

They're putting a business park there?

And they're going to put in a fast link from the airport to the A96 as part of the programme? Thank heavens! Putting a new development on the perimeter road would make the traffic carnage even more carnegeous. I think they should go further with the junction of that new link and the existing road and grade separate it from the A96 into the airport.

A £100m business park adjacent to Aberdeen Airport is beginning to rise from the ground after MTM Construction was awarded the infrastructure contract by Ribnort.

Designed by Halliday Fraser Munro this first phase of works encompass 54 acres, with an additional 20 acres to the south earmarked for a potential future phase.

Some 750,000sq/ft of commercial space; including warehousing, industrial and office uses are planned for the site, which is also suitable for hotel use.

Marketed as ABZ. occupation of the first units is hoped to rake place in the Autumn of 2012.

Doug Milne, managing director of MTM Construction, said: “Commercial projects of this scale are just not happening in the north-east, so we are very pleased to continue our long-standing work with the Ribnort team on a site which delivers vital economic development potential for the region.”

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3255/Groundworks_commence_at_Aberdeen_Airport_business_park.html

http://www.abzbusinesspark.com/

I would have though the Northern section of the development site would be safeguarded for future expansion of the Airport a bit like they have done at Edinburgh. Might regret this in future years cant think of any other airport with only one baggage reclaim carosel even inverness has got 2. Also that airport roundabouts a nightmare best just getting rid of it completely after the new road links built I hope thats what their planning.

I would have though the Northern section of the development site would be safeguarded for future expansion of the Airport a bit like they have done at Edinburgh. Might regret this in future years cant think of any other airport with only one baggage reclaim carosel even inverness has got 2. Also that airport roundabouts a nightmare best just getting rid of it completely after the new road links built I hope thats what their planning.

The current roundabout will provide access to the new development and Kirkhill rather than routing it all through the link road. Honestly, something about these road improvements should be grade separated. What though I'm not sure.

Norwegian architecture firm Snohetta have submitted their £3m design for a new Maggie’s Centre at the city’s Royal Infirmary.

Conceived as a pavilion in a parkland setting the development sports a curvaceous concrete exterior contrasted with a more angular, soft timber interior.

The centre will sit at the heart of a grass field behind a line of retained maple trees, with a group of beech trees marking the main entrance.

A courtyard garden will provide a secluded outdoor space at the heart of the development.

Laura Lee, Maggie’s chief executive, said the centre’s “striking” design would “greatly contribute” to architecture in the city.

Lee added that the Centre “encapsulates the Maggie’s brief in providing a space that is homely and full of warmth, while sparking curiosity and imagination from its visitors.”

Maggie’s co-founder Charles Jencks added: ‘Coming from the Norwegian culture, Snøhetta has great insight into the life and landscape of the Scots – particularly Aberdeen, a short hop from Oslo. Their mixture of a warm interior of furnishing embraced by a protective shell strikes just the right balance for Maggie’s.’
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/news_3266.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3266/Maggie%E2%80%99s_Aberdeen_designs_unveiled.html

Couple of encouraging stories regarding the economy in the continued doom and gloom
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Demand for office property in Aberdeen is among the highest in the UK, according to property consultancy Knight Frank.

The firm’s market review for Q3 reveals that office space take-up in the Granite city was greater than that of Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Demand for Aberdeen property during the first three quarters of 2011 was higher than figures recorded for the whole of 2010.

In addition to the exceptional take-up in the first six months of 2011, total demand for Q3 was 90,515 sq ft. Total active demand for office space in the city is around 425, 000 sq ft, an increase of almost a third on Q2 levels.

Katherine Monro, partner at Knight Frank’s Aberdeen office, attributes the increase in demand to developments in the North Sea oil and gas industry.

She said: “2011 is proving to be an exceptionally successful year, with take-up already well ahead of 2010 figures. Aberdeen’s long term prospects have been significantly boosted by the UK government’s backing of the exploration of untapped oil fields to the west of Shetland, which is likely to create 3,000 new jobs and a future commitment of up to 40 years in the region.

“Furthermore, a number of oil and gas companies have expressed an interest in office space of about 100,000 sq ft in the proposed Drum Property Group’s Prime Four development at Kingswells. This adds more weight to the likelihood that demand will continue to outweigh supply.”

Notable deals announced in the report for Q3 include the lease of the remaining 40,369 sq ft at Northpoint, Bridge of Don, by ITS Testing Services, as well as Global Maritime Scotland’s lease of the remaining 5,200 sq ft at Johnstone House in the city centre’s Rose Street, for a headline rent of £24.50 per sq ft.

Monro added: “Demand for Grade A office space in the city centre remains at a critical level, with just 36,000ft currently available. The proposed demolition of the former offices of Aberdeen City Council at St Nicholas House will go some way to alleviating this deficit, whilst the refurbishment of Queen’s House on Queens Road, now under offer, will continue to put an upward pressure on headline rent.”

http://www.compropscotland.com/index.php/article/knight_frank_aberdeen_office_market

Aberdeen Airport saw passenger numbers rise faster than any British airport over the past year, figures have shown.

The statistics report 9.5% growth for Aberdeen between 1 January and 30 November 2011, compared with the same period in 2010.

It was followed by Edinburgh Airport, with growth of 6.5%, while Manchester was on 6%.

The figures have been revealed in Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provisional data.

Heathrow saw 3.7% growth, while Scatsta Airport in Shetland, which mainly serves the offshore industry, experienced 3.6% growth, as did London City.

Passenger numbers at Glasgow and Liverpool airports grew by 3.2%.

Only airports which handle more than 100,000 passengers a year were included.

Aberdeen Airport managing director Derek Provan said it had been a very good year but challenges lay ahead.

He also called for Air Passenger Duty (APD) to be devolved to help passengers and the aviation industry.

Mr Provan said: "Air Passenger Duty in its current form will damage tourism and weaken Scotland's competitiveness.

"It is growing in the UK at a time when other European countries have abandoned the tax entirely because of its damaging effects.

"Despite our best efforts, it would seem the government is pushing ahead with APD as originally intended.

"We call for the tax to be devolved to the Scottish government where we feel any revenues raised would be pushed back into helping support the aviation industry and attract new routes."

A £10m 124m extension of Aberdeen Airport's main runway was officially opened in October.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-16291635

With all those extra people commuting in and around the City, you know what that means. :horse:

One of Scotland's busiest harbours will be overhauled with a £24m investment.

The Aberdeen Harbour board plans to spend the money making vital improvements to meet growing demand.

Plans for next year include the completion of work at Torry Quays and starting phase two of the project to improve dockside facilities and provide extra deepwater berthing.

Significant investment in 2011 has seen the harbour already exceed record levels of vessel tonnage hit in 2010. That growth is expected to continue into next year.

Aberdeen harbour is one of the busiest ports in the UK with trading links to more than 40 countries across the world.

With oil and gas exploration continuing to expand, bosses expect the number of vessels visiting the north-east harbour to continue growing.

Colin Parker, board chief executive, said: "The import and export of goods by sea remains a vital part of the regional economy of the north-east of Scotland and this has been demonstrated more than ever this year, with a positive rise in activity levels at the port.

"Targeted development can present increased opportunities and, recognising this, the process of evolution has seen the board invest more than £200 million into the port’s facilities in recent decades."

http://local.stv.tv/aberdeen/news/289920-24m-investment-for-busy-scots-harbour/

ABERDEEN CITY GARDEN PROJECT NEWS IS AFOOT.....

;-)

As Gallus says above, winner has been chosen


The winning design that could possibly transform Aberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens has been chosen as "Granite Web".

The Diller Scofidio and Renfro/Keppie Design entry was chosen for the £140m City Garden Project ahead of the Foster and Partners-led Winter Garden bid.

A panel of local business people and politicians had weighed up the designs.

Members of the public are being asked if they support the project or want the existing gardens kept.

Chairman of the jury, Sir Duncan Rice, said: "The Diller Scofidio team had thought long and hard about Aberdeen's special history and unique needs.

"Answer by answer, they overwhelmed the jury with their vision and their sensitivity.

"They are flexible and responsive, and the thrilling concept they have offered will continue to adapt and evolve as discussion proceeds."

He added the winning design was expected to cost less than the project's £140m initial figure.

Charles Renfro, partner at Diller Scofidio and Renfro, said: "The steep competition drove us that much harder to do more research, to understand the site more thoroughly, to dig deeper into our creative reserve and our technical expertise to find a daring, thoughtful and beautiful solution.

"While the City Garden is at the heart of Aberdeen, that current heart has little pulse.

"We feel that we can make it throb and bring life and energy into the centre of town."

John Stewart, chairman of the City Garden Project management board, said: "This design will not only transform the Union Terrace gardens site but our whole city.

"I also believe it will transform the way in which Aberdonians perceive, use and enjoy the city centre.

"This could be Aberdeen's Eden Project, our Guggenheim, and will be a unique space that nowhere else in Europe can offer."

He added: "We promised the public we would deliver an exceptional design and then produce a detailed economic assessment.

This will be announced shortly so that the public know what the project could look like, how it will be funded and the economic benefits it will bring before making their decision in the referendum."

Malcolm Reading, the competition organiser, said: "This is an exciting outcome and a great coup for the city.

"This ingenious and inspiring design for Aberdeen's key public space gives the city a new social landscape but one rooted in its extraordinarily rich heritage and natural assets."

Campaign group Friends of Union Terrace Gardens claim the project is wrong economically, environmentally and for the heritage of the city.

Businessman Sir Ian Wood has pledged £50m to the project.

During a previous public consultation process, 55% of those who took part said they did not support the new development.

But councillors backed taking the plans to the next stage.

If the project proceeds, Aberdeen City Council believes construction could be finished by 2016.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-16573250

I think it looks awful :( The gardens currently are a fantastic green space and now they are going to be covered in what looks like a 60's concrete underpass. Apparently the gardens are full of junkies presently, well surely it would have made more sense to employ some park rangers to sort that problem out rather than spend millions on this monstrosity? One thing is for sure, if this gets the go ahead, that sheltered "underpass" will be just the place for the junkies to hang out.

Really do not understand what Aberdeen Council are thinking about on this one...

I absolutely supported the notion of levelling it out to create a square, but this is a mess, one that is likely to date quickly and be hugely regretted!

The Diller Scofidio and Renfro/Keppie Design entry was chosen for the £140m City Garden Project ahead of the Foster and Partners-led Winter Garden bid.

http://memegenerator.net/cache/instances/400x/12/12969/13280779.jpg

Diller Scofidio & Renfro win Aberdeen gardens comp
Some images of winning design courtesy of Urban Realm:

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/news_3295.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_1782.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3295/Diller_Scofidio_%26_Renfro_win_Aberdeen_gardens_comp.html

My recollection is that the Union Terrace Gardens are a dignified piece of public realm, with the only downside being the proximity of Denburn Road. It's not clear how the visual impact of that road is being addressed here, if at all.

Was there no other space in Aberdeen where a brand new public realm project such as this would have been more appropriate?

The Foster scheme seemed to be the public's favourite. By choosing the Keppie scheme I think they'll push a lot of people into the 'no' camp when it comes to the vote. Well done chaps, you've just made it more difficult for your selves.

The Foster scheme seemed to be the public's favourite. By choosing the Keppie scheme I think they'll push a lot of people into the 'no' camp when it comes to the vote. Well done chaps, you've just made it more difficult for your selves.

I agree. The Foster scheme looked like UTG currently albeit with several changes. I can see the merit in the one they've chosen, in some of the illustrations it looks fantastic. Ultimately nobody will know how it looks until/if it goes ahead.

I can see why people would want to retain the Gardens however they're hardly ever used, and I mean that. Even on the sunniest of days the park is never populated to any great level. There's nothing to draw you into it, Duthie Park is perhaps a 10 minute walk down Holburn St. The the railway line and dual carriageway right next to it don't help matters either. Obviously none of these are reasons in themselves to change it but it could be so much more. I can't really see what you could do with UTG in it's current form to attract more people to it?

Personally I don't think this design will happen, I'm not sure there's enough support for the scheme as a whole. I think plenty of people just don't care enough to bother voting either way.

For anyone who's interested this is was the original design for a Visual Arts centre for the Gardens by Peacock:

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/peacock_bg280907_extview.jpg
Photo courtesy of e-architect.co.uk

These were the original images released when the vote went 55% against:

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/AberdeenGardenProject2_LW.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/178376-union-terrace-gardens-plan-approved-410x230.jpg
Photos courtesy of STV.co.uk

The Denburn Valley that they're currently attempting cover up:

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/Picture2.jpg
Photo copyright www.otheraberdeen.blogspot.com

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/denburn-fr-union-bridge-aberdeen-infocouk.jpg
Photo copyright www.aberdeen-info.co.uk

And how they used to look back in the day, courtesy of www.mcjazz.f2s.com/UnionTerrace.htm
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/Turntable.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j178/nixz87/TerraceGardens.jpg

I think the winning design is daring and pretty cool, however by not choosing the much safer Foster scheme I think the panel has shot themselves in the foot. There is no chance that the public will vote for this scheme when it comes to the crunch as the risk of digging up all those mature trees is too great for Aberdeen.

Aberdeen's controversial City Garden Project could create about 6,500 new jobs, it has been claimed.

A report from consultants PwC into the plans for Union Terrace Gardens also says it could inject £122m into the local economy annually.

On Monday, Diller Scofidio and Renfro/Keppie Design's entry Granite Web was chosen for the project.

Members of the public are being asked if they support the project or want the existing gardens kept.

The referendum ballot closes on 1 March.

The PwC report was commissioned by the City Garden Project management board.

Some residents want historic Union Terrace Gardens to stay as they are Mark Graham of PwC said: "The economic assessment includes responses from businesses and trade organisations.

"The responses demonstrate significant support for the potential of the projects to enhance the city's image and increase the pace of business and investment."

Colin Crosby, director of Aberdeen City Gardens Trust (ACGT), said: "The city cannot afford to ignore this significant potential to secure our long-term economic future."

The study will be discussed at a full council meeting on 25 January.

However, campaign group Friends of Union Terrace Gardens argue the project is wrong economically, environmentally and for the heritage of Aberdeen.

Businessman Sir Ian Wood has pledged £50m to the project.

During a previous public consultation process, 55% of those who took part said they did not support the new development.

But councillors backed taking the plans to the next stage.

If the project proceeds, Aberdeen City Council believes construction could be finished by 2016.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-16627408

Aberdeen's controversial City Garden Project could create about 6,500 new jobs, it has been claimed.

A report from consultants PwC into the plans for Union Terrace Gardens also says it could inject £122m into the local economy annually.

On Monday, Diller Scofidio and Renfro/Keppie Design's entry Granite Web was chosen for the project.

Members of the public are being asked if they support the project or want the existing gardens kept.

The referendum ballot closes on 1 March.

The PwC report was commissioned by the City Garden Project management board.

Some residents want historic Union Terrace Gardens to stay as they are Mark Graham of PwC said: "The economic assessment includes responses from businesses and trade organisations.

"The responses demonstrate significant support for the potential of the projects to enhance the city's image and increase the pace of business and investment."

Colin Crosby, director of Aberdeen City Gardens Trust (ACGT), said: "The city cannot afford to ignore this significant potential to secure our long-term economic future."

The study will be discussed at a full council meeting on 25 January.

However, campaign group Friends of Union Terrace Gardens argue the project is wrong economically, environmentally and for the heritage of Aberdeen.

Businessman Sir Ian Wood has pledged £50m to the project.

During a previous public consultation process, 55% of those who took part said they did not support the new development.

But councillors backed taking the plans to the next stage.

If the project proceeds, Aberdeen City Council believes construction could be finished by 2016.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-16627408

6500 jobs - absolute total pie in the sky! I'll bet my hat it'll not have created 650 jobs once building is completed!

I also question why the Aberdeen Council thinks that more Aberdonians will use the space once its is covered over in concrete. If the good people of Aberdeen are not using the green space that's there just now, why would they want to go hang out on the top of an underpass :ohno:

6500 jobs - absolute total pie in the sky! I'll bet my hat it'll not have created 650 jobs once building is completed!

I also question why the Aberdeen Council thinks that more Aberdonians will use the space once its is covered over in concrete. If the good people of Aberdeen are not using the green space that's there just now, why would they want to go hang out on the top of an underpass :ohno:

I too doubt that lofty figure, but at the same time no one can say for sure how many jobs it may, directly or indirectly create. There's also

I won't get into a debate regarding the merits of the scheme but it's hardly an underpass. It'll offer more green space than is currently on offer, at street level as well new cultural and arts centre. Also the mere fact you would be able to walk from Belmont St to Union Terrace would ensure there'd be plenty more people 'use' it than they do UTG. I'd quite happily vote in favour of the scheme if it mean sacrificing the current UTG so that the rest of the surrounding area could be sorted out. I can vaguely recall from the exhibition that the quoted £140 million, minus the £55 or so already in place, would include £25 mill to be spent on the surrounding area. Whether it comes off or not remains to be seen but at least it's being decided via a democratic process.

The current space is basically a large patch of grass. You can always have grassy areas. Always. Investment and development like this is uncommon. Go for it.

The current space is basically a large patch of grass. You can always have grassy areas. Always. Investment and development like this is uncommon. Go for it.

Disagree. Cities need as much open green space as they can get. What Aberdeen is planning is something akin to the 1960's/early 70's. It's a fail in my book. :bash:

Holmes-Miller showcase Marischal College revamp
Urban Realm 24th January 2012

Recently merged architecture practice Holmes-Miller have showcased their work on Aberdeen’s A-listed Marischal College following completion of a £40m project to transform the world’s second largest granite building into a new home for Aberdeen City Council.

The rejuvenated structure has seen the oak paneled Senate Rooms restored and a quadrangle car park reinstated as a civic space through paving with Caithness and granite flagstones and computerised fountains.

To make the building more efficient two additional floors have been inserted behind the retained façade by lowering floor to ceiling heights and inserting a new zinc clad roof level.

Douglas Jack, Holmes Project Partner, said: “At a time when Scotland was expanding with confidence the 'skyscraper-perpendicular Gothic' style encapsulated both the religious idealism and the civic confidence of the late 19th century Scotland. It was also the ideal style to show what granite could achieve with the delicate tracery and sculpted pinnacles.

“One of the greatest challenges in the redesign of a historic building is how the design and arrangement of internal spaces are suited for a modern environment and how they integrate with existing structure, fenestration and historical details. At Marischal College, Holmes saw this as paramount to the design, and this is evident firstly at the granite arched main entrance, located in the building’s six storey high, West Wing.

“While looking at this the newly cleaned building, it reminds us what it must have been like in 1906 at the grand opening ceremony, where the building reached to the sky as an example of ordered purity amongst the drab collection of buildings in the surrounding area and once again Marischal College confidently fulfils its place as an icon of the 'Silver City'. The cleaned granite symbolises the rebirth of this fine building from a vacant and deteriorating college to a new and vibrant local government civic centre.”

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_1795.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_1794.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_1793.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_1791.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_1788.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_1789.jpg


Photography by Keith Hunter
More images here: http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3310/Holmes-Miller_showcase_Marischal_College_revamp.html

Looks fantastic!!

Stunning! My word, what a fantastic job!

Awesome.

Absolutely stunning.

Is that what it looks like now? That's not an impression?

I thought the building was meant to be black. Who knew it was supposed to be the colour of granite?

Now, ACC, from your shiny, radioactive palace, I believe you have a road to build.

Wasn't sure if this was better served in the 'Renewable Energy thread or not...?

Plans for a wind farm off the Aberdeenshire coast have taken a step forward after councillors approved their submission to Marine Scotland.

The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre is a £150m venture by Vattenfall, Technip and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group.

The infrastructure services committee was not for or against the plans.

Details of issues raised surrounding the bid will be sent to Marine Scotland as part of the consultation process.

US tycoon Donald Trump has said he will abandon his plans for a hotel and houses at his golf resort on the Menie Estate if the project is approved.

A "no to turbines" protest was held outside the meeting.

A planning application for the wind farm off Aberdeen Bay, 2km (1.2 miles) from the golf course, was submitted to Marine Scotland - which manages Scotland's seas - in August last year.

The marine consortium applying to build the wind farm has said that 11 next-generation wind turbines would be constructed as a testing ground for future developments.

It is expected it would create jobs and economic benefit by attracting scientists, researchers, engineers and offshore wind supply chain companies.

A final decision on the wind farm plans is expected by Scottish ministers later in the year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-16738112

Hopefully Trump will do us a favour and sell his golf course to someone who won't bully and intimidate those who don't adhere to his way of thinking. What would your 'Scotch' mother think?

Skanska advance HMP Grampian plans
Urban Realm 6th February 2012

Plans to construct a £140m ‘titan’ jail on the site of Peterhead prison have advanced after the scheme was granted a green light by Aberdeenshire Council planners.

The 500 cell complex will replace outdated Victorian facilities within the existing Peterhead and Craiginches facilities with provision for a community reintegration unit, garden, playing field and allotments.

Unusually the jail will house all categories of offender; including men, women and youths, who will each be segregated within particular wings.

Demolition work on Peterhead is expected to commence this spring with construction work taking place by the summer for completion by 2013.

Skanska are undertaking design and construction work for the complex on behalf of the Scottish Prisons Service.

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3336/Skanska_advance_HMP_Grampian_plans.html

A further £35m has been pledged to Aberdeen's controversial City Garden Project to cover any "very unlikely" extra costs.

A design called Granite Web has been chosen to transform historic Union Terrace Gardens.

Members of the public are being asked if they support the project or want the existing gardens kept.

The Wood Family Trust (WFT) said it was making a contingency of 25% of the original £140m budget available.

Businessman Sir Ian Wood has already pledged £50m of his own money to the project.

Mr Wood, chairman of WFT, said the additional funds were to demonstrate confidence in the current cost estimates.

He said: "Concerns have been expressed about the impact of any potential cost over-run to the City Garden Project.

"These are being irresponsibly fuelled by misinformation and unfounded speculation.

"The estimated total cost of £140m has been carefully worked out by the design team, and verified by independent technical experts.

"The Granite Web is a particularly cost effective design, which should definitely be delivered within the £140m estimate, which already includes some contingencies."

Mr Wood explained: "To reassure the tax payer that this project will not take funds away from local services provided by the council and to demonstrate my confidence in the cost estimates, Wood Family Trust will give an undertaking to the council to pay for any cost over-run up to 25% of the £140m estimate to cover the very unlikely event of any cost escalation.

"This should eliminate any concerns on this issue."

The referendum ballot closes on 1 March.

Friends of Union Terrace Gardens claim the proposed City Garden Project is wrong economically, environmentally and for the heritage of the city.

During a previous public consultation process, 55% of those who took part said they did not support the new development.

But councillors backed taking the plans to the next stage.

If the project proceeds, Aberdeen City Council believes construction could be finished by 2016.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-16961203

That's a potential donation of £85 million. How the other half live! Website is also updated for those intersted: http://thecitygardenproject.com/

Hmm. Despite what thecitygardenproject.com says - the garden scheme will "Preserve heritage elements of the existing park including the historic Union Bridge" - the renders seem to suggest that the bridge arch will be hidden. The view of the bridge from Rosemount viaduct was always a favourite of mine.

I hope to get a good look at the revamped Marischal College and the new University library when I next visit.