Contractors behind the delayed refurbishment of the Aberdeen Music Hall have confirmed they are “delighted” to have won the “technically challenging” £multi-million project.
Kier Construction Scotland was awarded the £6.725million contract by Aberdeen Performing Arts to carry out much needed refurbishment of one of Scotland’s oldest and most historic concert halls. The work includes the restoration, redevelopment and upgrading work on the historic A-listed building.
Initial hopes were that the refurbishment of the 200-year-old building would be finished by 2017.
Yesterday, Kier confirmed will begin on site next month and is expected to be complete by summer 2018. The firm, part of the multi-national Kier Group – will carry out complex demolition and excavation work, restore the concert hall’s original features and build new public areas with improved access. The plans will allow the classic auditorium with its renowned acoustics, historic Willis organ and Strachan murals to be “safeguarded for future generations”, the firm said.
The FTSE-250 firm has worked on a number of historic buildings including the Royal Opera House and, closer to home, at Edinburgh College of Art and the Glasgow School of Art.
Kier’s area operations director Sean O’Callaghan, said: “We are delighted to be working on restoring and transforming the Aberdeen Music Hall – a national treasure that lies at the heart of Aberdeen city centre.
“This technically challenging project really highlights our capabilities and expertise in this field. We have a solid record of successfully completing major projects of this scale and we will build on our relationships with the local supply chain to help create a range of employment opportunities in Aberdeen and the north of Scotland to deliver this important project.”
Jane Spiers, chief executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts, said: “This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Appointing Kier as contractors for our Music Hall Transformation project makes the project real.
“It’s been in discussion now for three years, in blueprints and plans for a couple and preparing for work to start has dominated the landscape for the whole team for the last year. Local people shared fond stories and memories at our Your Hall Your Story closing events and we know they are excited to see the next chapter unfurl.
“Opening the doors to let the contractors in is the first step of bringing the plans to life.”
