Work to transform one of Aberdeen’s oldest buildings into a museum honouring the Granite City’s most celebrated luminaries is “progressing well”.
City centre masterplan spokeswoman Marie Boulton last night revealed that the A-listed Provost Skene’s House had already had major renovations carried out as part of a £3.8 million overhaul – and is on track to open as a new attraction next year.
Scaffolding was erected around the 16th century property in August and the aim is to transform it into an interactive “hall of heroes” – with displays on the likes of Annie Lennox and Denis Law.
The Flourmill Lane building, which dates from 1545, will include artefacts and memorabilia as well as audio-visual exhibitions.
An in-house building team is to work on the project, which includes re-slating the roof and replacing rotten timbers.
Mrs Boulton said: “The transformation of Provost Skene’s House into a new visitor attraction which will tell the story of local people who shaped the world is progressing well.
“To date, the modern kitchen has been removed, structural and timber preservation works have been completed, and replacement of the pointing is ongoing.
“The next stage will involve the removal and reinstatement of the slates.
“In summer 2020 the interior fit-out will take place, with the building on course to re-open in autumn next year as planned.
“The refurbished house will form part of the Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums portfolio that will welcome around 500,000 visits to these city centre attractions each year.”
In recent years a number of major council projects like the art gallery renovation have ran over time and budget.
The opposition SNP group’s resource spokesman, Alex Nicoll, said his colleagues would keep a “close eye” on the progress of the work.
He said: “We have been reassured to hear that the project is running on time and budget but the administration has an abysmal record on capital projects like this.
“We will keep a close eye on this and keep seeking these assurances as the work progresses.
“The building does need renovation to make it sustainable into the future.”
