A new street food market hall will open in the centre of Aberdeen bringing a new food and drink concept to the city.
Resident X is to reimagine the local bar and dining scene, with a focus on collaborative residency kitchens, modern craft drinks, and high energy social space.
The modern concept will open its doors in the second quarter of 2022 and will be based across two units within Marschal Square 1.
Boasting six independently run food and drink units within the venue, as well as an array of seated and standing social areas, it will provide a boost to the city centre’s day and night time economy.
The brainchild of founders Michael Robertson and David Griffiths, the duo behind the successful Backyard Beach Collective will bring the currently unused space to life and provide a modern focal point for the street food and drinks scene.
What is it Resident X?
The stylish venue, also known as RX, will include a large shared commercial kitchen which will assist the vendors, while also offering the potential to act as a dark kitchen space for individuals and businesses alike to test out menus.
Units will be offered to both local vendors and national independents where it is hoped that the spaces can display the best of the north-east.
Procurement is already well underway with a spring 2022 opening date anticipated.
RX director, David Griffiths, said: “As proud Aberdonians Michael and I have been on a mission to help develop Aberdeen’s food and drinks offering into something on par with larger cities across the UK, where collaboration and mixed-use social space are key components to both day and night-time venues.
“We aim to play our part in regenerating the city centre and hope that the venue will become not only a social hub for locals, but also contribute in making Aberdeen a more attractive prospect for both new businesses and tourists alike.”
The units are based in the Marischal Square development which includes two city centre office buildings providing 173,500 sq ft of Grade ‘A’ office space.
It boasts secure parking, seven restaurants and cafe bar spaces occupying the ground floor space, and a 126-room Residence Inn by Marriott.
Michael and David are looking to employ around 30 to 50 staff.
Michael Robertson added: “We contemplated long and hard during the immediate aftermath of Backyard as to what our next move would be and what could make the biggest impact in the shortest time – we settled on an ‘indoor permanent version’ that will be a landmark project for us.
“RX will not only tap into the daytime scene but be a key night-time destination for all. As always myself and Dave have a few more surprises up our sleeves.”
Two bars operated by RX will offer a range of craft drinks and premium cocktails to not only compliment the food offering, but also further establish the east end of the city as a vibrant late night social spot.
Council leader Jenny Laing said: “By investing £107million into the Marischal Square development, Aberdeen City Council has achieved regeneration of the east end of the city centre.
“I am delighted that the final unit within Marischal Square development has been taken over by new tenants and I am positive their offering will complement what is already a flourishing hospitality complex which will boost the city centre economy by attracting more people into the area.”
To keep up to date with the latest news and announcements from RX, the existing Backyard social media pages have been converted to Resident X.
For more information, their new social handle is @rx.msq.