A building which has been a focal point of the Granite City skyline for almost half a century is finally being reduced to rubble.
The long-awaited final phase of demolition work on St Nicholas House, the former headquarters of Aberdeen City Council, began yesterday.
The process had been delayed for around two weeks due to health and safety concerns.
But these have been resolved, and two “nibbler” machines are currently being used to remove what remains of the Broad Street and Flourmill Lane building.
The demolition of the premises is paving the way for a £107million revamp aimed at transforming the heart of the city centre.
Yesterday, work focused at the top of the building with machines pulling away the remaining walls and debris. In the coming weeks, the same machines will work on the middle of the structure and break it into two parts, until it is finally demolished.
A council spokeswoman said: “Shielding has been erected at the edges of the site for safety reasons.
“Site clearance works will be completed following the demolition of the tower and it is anticipated that this will be finished next month.”
The 14-storey office block has been widely regarded as an eyesore in recent years – and residents will be able to watch it be torn down via a webcam on Aberdeen City Council’s website.
The demolition work has made one of Aberdeen’s oldest buildings completely visible for the first time in decades
While Provost Skene’s House has been closed for the duration of the demolition, it will play a prominent role in the new planned civic plaza.
Broad Street was closed to all traffic between Union Street and Upperkirkgate from 7pm last night to 6am this morning, and will close again at the same time today and tomorrow to ensure public safety while the demolition work is carried out.
The diversion is via Gallowgate, Littlejohn Street, West North Street, King Street and Castle Street.