Plans to demolish the Aberdeen Market to make way for an 11-storey office building have moved forward, having gained the conditional backing of city councillors.
At a meeting yesterday, detailed plans were considered for the Market Street site, currently home to a number of small, independent retailers.
Patrizia’s office-led “lantern-shaped” glass and granite development would increase from five-storeys-tall in Market Street to 11-storeys – or 187-ft-tall – at the other end of the development, near Carmelite Street.
But new building would have less of a footprint in The Green however, reclaiming space for public use.
The development would include offices, retail space, a business lounge, cafes, and 126 car parking spaces.
Yesterday councillors voted to approve the plans, dependent on Patrizia signing a legal agreement to meet 27 conditions.
Those include ensuring the provision of money towards paths and a car club vehicle, the inclusion of electric vehicle charging points, as well as the provision of a new public plaza in The Green.
Patrizia had previously secured planning permission to redevelop the adjoining former BHS building in Union Street into office space, shops and apartments.
Last night Patrizia’s Shaun Hose told The P&J the decision was “very welcome”, after four years work on the proposals.
“We will continue to work closely with Aberdeen City Council and other stakeholders to deliver on our proposals which will inject new vibrancy into this part of the city centre,” he added.
Planning convener Marie Boulton moved the motion to approve the plans conditionally, telling the meeting, held by video call: “Design is always difficult and it is recognised that there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with the applicant to make sure the building isn’t as dense and is set back at various points.
“I think the use of glass and granite will allow it to blend in with and reflect the buildings around it.
She added: “There will be a significant impact down in The Green but we have heard that will be compensated with all the activity that will take place there.
“The plans will make more space on The Green, an area we have seen come back into its own as a destination with things like Nu Art – and with a wider footprint this will escalate.”
Liberal Democrat Martin Greig was the only councillor to speak out against the plans during yesterday’s meeting.
The Hazlehead, Queen’s Cross and Countesswells member branded it an “enormous monstrosity”.
He warned: “It will seriously reduce the quality and environment of the area; The Green in particular will be dramatically affected.
“We have a duty to protect the special character of our city centre and this is just another example of over development with yet another undesirable skyscraper.”
