Global construction consultancy Turner & Townsend will programme manage the “masterplan” for Aberdeen’s £333million new exhibition and conference centre, it was announced yesterday.
The firm, which has 90 offices in 38 countries, said had been chosen for its strong track record in completing similar projects.
It will be working for specialist property developer Henry Boot Developments, which is partnering Aberdeen City Council on the scheme.
Turner & Townsend will project manage the first phase of construction.
It is also responsible for spearheading a major transformation – the Bucksburn Masterplan – of the site of the Rowett Research Institute at Bucksburn.
Company director Andy Outram said: “We’re looking forward to being a crucial partner in delivering this state-of-the-art public facility, which will compete on a world stage.
“Over the next three years, our role will be to overcome numerous challenges, including construction so close to the airport, diverting large scale utilities and repositioning three existing watercourses to create a new park.”
Henry Boot director Nick Harris said: “Turner & Townsend has already proved its credentials as an expert partner and we now look forward to working with them to build a centre that will play an invaluable role in driving sustainable economic growth for the area.
“The Bucksburn masterplan will deliver excellent architectural, urban and landscape design, providing a venue which is a key element of the business structure needed to promote Aberdeen as a World energy city and the energy capital of Europe.”
The overall scheme includes the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC), which is projected to secure an additional 31,000 business tourists and lead to an additional £11million of visitor spend per annum, as well as hotels, offices and an energy innovation centre.
At more than 1.13million sq ft, including a 97,000sq ft, 12,500 capacity arena, the new complex will dwarf facilities in and around the existing AECC at Bridge of Don.
It is due to be completed in time for the 2019 Offshore Europe oil and gas show.
The plans also include an adjoining 4-star hotel, with a further two hotels next to the main building. Future development could add 646,000sq ft of offices and nearly 65,000sq ft of accommodation for leisure space.
Turner & Townsend said the complex would be fully serviced by an energy centre and anaerobic digestion biomass plant, which would provide a sustainable source of power and an income stream to help cover the cost of the development.
The project took a giant step forward on Monday, when key legal agreements were signed at the town house in Aberdeen.