An empty office building in the West End of Aberdeen could be transformed into 10 flats after its owners failed to secure any interest from businesses in need of new space.
The three adjacent townhouses at 9-13 Albert Street have been empty for more than a year.
Owners Hornbuckle Mitchell Trustees now want to turn the B-listed buildings into a block of 10 flats as they have struggled to find a tenant since last August.
Commercial property advisor Ryden has submitted a planning application with Aberdeen City Council on the firm’s behalf.
In the document it is claimed that there is “no interest in use of the property as an office, with indication given that the historic internal layout of the property is not preferred by modern office occupiers”.
The three terraced houses were converted into offices in the 1980s.
Ryden said careful renovation would “secure continued use and revenue generation” for the owner, given the long-term vacancy.
The buildings would house six two-bedroom flats, two three-bedroom properties and two single-bedroom offerings.
The firm also wants permission to build a further one-and-a-half storey house behind number 13, reducing available parking for residents.
Last year Aberdeen City Council relaxed the need for affordable housing contributions on city centre developments in an effort to have more people living in the area.
With Albert Street only 500ft outside of the city centre boundary, Ryden has asked that “the proposed site should be subject to the same relaxations as those afforded to properties a very short distance away”.
