New images reveal how Aberdeen’s Wallace Tower interior could be turned into one-of-a-kind cafe

The fresh impressions offer a glimpse into the £620,000 plans.

By Ben Hendry

January 11 2024, 11:50 am

New plans show the cafe inside Wallace Tower. Image: Tinto Architecture

New design images offer a sneak peek at how Aberdeen’s derelict Wallace Tower could be transformed into a unique cafe.

The Tillydrone Community Development Trust (TCDT) has been striving to bring the unloved landmark on the edge of Seaton Park back to life for years.

It has been falling into decay for decades, and has been listed as “at risk” for the past 20 years.

Now, fresh images have offered an insight into how the ground floor of the ancient tower could be reborn.

There would be an extension added to create more space for diners. Image: Tinto Architecture

What are the Wallace Tower cafe plans?

The 16th-century monument, also known as Benholm Lodge, has an interesting past.

It was taken down brick by brick and moved from the city centre to Tillydrone to make way for Marks and Spencer in the 1960s.

Its last use was as a home, but it has been crumbling into ruin since the 1990s.

This is what the ground floor of Wallace Tower looks like just now. Image: Tinto Architecture

New plans submitted to Aberdeen City Council outline how the ground floor of Wallace Tower will be turned into a cafe.

The interior will have a display counter, coffee facilities and a grey counter matching the stone walls.

New Wallace Tower cafe plans have been lodged. — New Wallace Tower cafe plans show how the currently derelict ground floor would link to a modern extension. Image: Tinto Architecture

The cafe plans could bring Wallace Tower into the 21st century. Image: Tinto Architecture

It would open up into a more spacious and airy extension, to the rear of the building.

There would be more seating in here, with large windows compensating for the lack of light in the tower itself.

Here is how the extension would look inside. Image: Tinto Architecture

Another view of the inside. Image: Tinto Architecture

Why have new plans for Wallace Tower cafe been lodged?

The fresh proposals may come as a surprise to those following the project’s progress.

Plans to turn Wallace Tower into a cafe, with office and community space upstairs, were approved last summer.

Wallace tower in Aberdeen — Wallace Tower overlooks Seaton Park. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

But new permission is now needed due to changes to the design of the “multi-purpose community facility”.

This comes in the form of the new extension to provide level access for disabled visitors, and people with prams and buggies.

They say the tweaked blueprint is an “evolution of the previous concepts”, with reduced visibility from Seaton Park, a “bolder design” and increased internal area.

The new proposed extension at Wallace Tower will come with more windows under the “minor tweaks”. Image: Tinto Architecture

Another view of the addition. Image: Tinto Architecture

Do you think this could be the winning formula to bring back Wallace Tower? Let us know in our comments section below

Will new design be the final version of long-awaited plans?

The documents from Tinto Architecture explain that, should the new scheme be approved too, the Trust “intends to carry this project through to realisation”.

And Colin McFadyen, from the organisation, told the Press and Journal that an asset transfer on the site is due to be completed soon.

That will bring them one step closer to kicking off their £620,000 plans.