A historic landmark on Aberdeen’s Granite Mile could be converted into flats as the owner hopes to help “reinvigorate” the city centre.
The Press And Journal can exclusively reveal The Epic Group plans to create 14 high end, two and three-bedroom flats on the three upper storeys of the A-listed former Monkey House in Union Terrace, on the corner with Union Street.
It marks the latest, and perhaps grandest, building to be reclaimed for residential use on the city’s main thoroughfare, amid a drive from council chiefs to have more people living in the heart of the city.
Epic Group boss, Mike Wilson, said: “I believe there has been a realisation that anything above ground floor level in Union Street is going to be residential.
“With office space so plentiful in the city centre, I see this as a sensible fit for the property and hopefully this assists with regeneration of the area.
“Given the prominence of the Monkey House in Aberdeen, this development can only be good for the city and some badly needed good news for Union Street.”
Chaophraya, the Thai restaurant which replaced a pub on the ground floor in 2016, would remain in place if the plans are approved.
Currently marketed as premium office space, the upper storeys have been empty for more than a year, and now Mr Wilson claims it is “clear” the space will not be snapped up as is.
Richard Tinto, of Tinto Architecture, said his staff were “humbled and privileged” to be involved in the work, estimated to be worth well over £1 million.
“We want to make a statement, in a statement building, overlooking a statement development – which is just the right narrative for Aberdeen at the moment,” he said.
“Most of us in the practice are local and we feel a responsibility to help reinvigorate the city in the right manner, contribute to its future success and we need to get this right to allow Aberdeen to be what it deserves to be.”
Built in 1885 as the headquarters for Northern Assurance, the eye-catching building was designed by prolific northern architect Alexander Marshall Mackenzie.
The Elgin-born Victorian also planned the city’s art gallery, the frontage and spires of Marischal College, Elphinstone Hall at King’s College and the war memorial and Cowdray Hall.
He found work across the country and the globe too – with the granite, Mackenzie-designed Isle Of Man Bank HQ in Douglas, bearing more than a passing resemblance to the Monkey House.
