This dramatic image captures a bird’s eye view of Aberdeen’s Marischal Square development as a snowstorm bears down on the city.
The £107million Broad Street regeneration scheme – which has been caught up in its own storm of controversy since it was announced – was yesterday said to be running right on schedule.
The Muse and Aviva project, at the former St Nicholas House complex, is to include two office buildings, a hotel, and seven restaurants and bars.
Last night, a spokesman for Muse confirmed everything was going to plan.
He said: “The Morgan Sindall construction team on site are right on schedule on the 116-week construction programme for Marischal Square.
“There are 85 people working on site at the moment on the remaining foundations and underground car park activity.
“It will be early in the new year before the public in Aberdeen will be able to see the granite, concrete and steelwork rising out of the ground as part of the construction process around the office, hotel and bar/restaurant space available at Marischal Square.”
It is scheduled to open in the summer of 2017.
Despite progress, the development has been mired in controversy since its inception.
Campaigners opposed to the venture have voiced fears it will obscure views of Marischal College.
Protestors are also concerned about the risks of the “sale and lease back” arrangement the city council reached with the developer.
The project came about after the city council sold the site of its former headquarters to Aviva for £10million.
It will lease Marischal Square for £5million per year for 35 years when it is completed in 2017. It can then buy the site back for £1.
Objectors have also cited concerns about its impact on the 16th-century Provost Skene’s House, which lies at the heart of the site.
However, the historic Aberdeen house is to receive around £500,000 for upgrades, which council chiefs claim will make it the “focal point” of the plan.