The family home of the “Scottish Samurai” could be transformed into a £2million business research and development centre under ambitious new plans by Aberdeen City Council.
Thomas Blake Glover, who was born on this day in Fraserburgh 178 years ago, is an iconic figure in Japan and was one of the founders of the Mitsubishi Corporation, the country’s largest general trading company which today employs around 54,000 people across the globe.
He has been credited as helping to kick-start the nation’s industrial revolution.
And now the local authority has taken back control of his former residence, Glover House on Balgownie Road in the Bridge of Don.
The council plans to turn it into an “ideas hub” which could help strengthen business links with Japan.
Jenny Laing, the leader of Aberdeen City Council, said: “Thomas Blake Glover is regarded as the founder of modern Japan and here in the north-east we remain very proud of his achievements.
“He was one of our first entrepreneurs who brought many western industrial practices to the east.
“He provided the first ships for the Japanese Navy, built the country’s first railways, established the first mint and introduced coal mining.
“By transforming his family home in the Bridge of Don area into a research and development facility for future industries and technologies, we are potentially developing ideas which will help us diversify our own economy and attract inward investment.”
The proposal will be considered by the council’s finance, policy and resources committee tomorrow, where the future of the category B-listed property will be decided.
The 19th century villa was purchased by Mitsubishi in 1996 and gifted to the Grampian Regional Council before being converted into a museum, however it closed to visitors in 2012 and has lain empty ever since.
Currently owned by the local authority, it is recognised by the United Nations as a world heritage site.
Mrs Laing added: “Our aim is to use the home of the Scottish Samurai as a springboard to widen our skills base and to encourage innovation as we look to the years beyond North Sea oil and gas.
“It would be remiss of us not to recognise the importance of Glover’s legacy, considering he showed that no matter how humble your beginnings, you can reach the very top in the discipline of your choice, in his case, business and industry.”
