From an empty shell just two years ago to a vibrant new living space and growing commercial centre, the eventual transformation of Peterhead’s Caley Building has been swift.
And its evolution could now be rewarded with a major award after it was nominated for a title at the national Property Awards, which will be staged later this month.
The Caley Building, in the town’s Harbour Street, was once used as storage for fishing nets and had deteriorated since last given over to any purpose, amidst a series of failed bids.
But earlier this year the former maritime building was handed a new lease of life after the completion of a £1.5 million project that saw it converted into 15 affordable homes.
Langstane Housing Association began its conversion in May 2016 and saw its one bedroom flats officially opened in July.
In time, the ground floor will be used for commercial purposes.
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Sandy Murray from Burnhaven Consultants led the project and said efforts to make the 1805 building fit for the 21st century were “complex”.
They had a number of technical challenges to overcome, with a major difference in ground levels between the front and back of a building that no longer had any windows.
Mr Murray’s team drew up plans to install a new steel frame inside the building to allow for commercial development of the ground floor and move doors for the flats to the rear of the structure.
He said the now award-nominated project had always enjoyed widespread backing.
“There was strong support from the public and from Aberdeenshire Council to find a project that would bring about the restoration of the Caley Building, but given the recent history of failed attempts to create a viable project, there was considerable wariness about getting involved.
“It has been a complex project but it has been worth all the long and complex planning and negotiations to see a dilapidated historic building in the Peterhead conservation area restored to benefit the community and preserve the historic heritage of Peterhead.”
Historic Environment Scotland provided £250,000 of funding towards the project with a further £108,000 backing from Aberdeenshire Council and £776,910 from the Scottish Government.
The team behind the Caley Building project will find if they have won when the Herald Property Awards take place in Glasgow on September 27.
