Plans are gathering pace for what could be a “spectacular” hotel or corporate headquarters development at the waterfront in Inverness.
The Port of Inverness states in its annual report that the Harbour Gait area, by the city’s marina, will be transformed into a gateway not only to Inverness but the whole of the Highlands.
The proposals have emerged amid a surge of private investment in the city’s hospitality sector.
Stewart Nicol, Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive, attended a recent meeting of the harbour trust where some of the plans were outlined.
He said: “The impression I am certainly getting is that plans are starting to gather pace. I think there’s a huge opportunity in the Harbour Gait area and it’s important that we link it to the rest of the city centre along the riverside, and that’s something the port is looking at.
“With many other cities around the UK, the redevelopment of the port infrastructure has been key to the redevelopment of a specific regions. There are very few harbour waterfronts that have the backdrop of the Black Isle and the Beauly and Moray firths. It’s unique.
“I think there is the opportunity for more than one use (at Harbour Gait), it’s not just about industrial or commercial development. It could be multiple use. It could be something spectacular.”
Harbour Gait is the name given to the land owned by the harbour trust around the marina and out to and beyond the Kessock Bridge.
The annual report states that there will be a first and second phase to the plans, with the first phase focusing on the 1.85 acre, L-shaped piece of land at the end of the marina and close to the entrance to the Caledonian Canal.
It states: “Potential uses could include office development with the prominent location lending itself to a corporate headquarters.
“Alternatively, the site could be developed for a number of self-contained office pavilions with other uses including industrial/commercial development as well as hotel and leisure.”
The report says phase two would involve development of the remaining foreshore land owned by the trust, and that plans will be progressed shortly with stakeholders in light of the “improving economic situation.”
Other major hotel developments in the city include a planned £5.5 million spend by Patio Hotels on converting Bridge House in Church Street into a four-star hotel. Dutch firm Vastint Hospitality are also set to invest in a hotel at the derelict former swimming pool site in Glebe Street.
Planners have also approved proposals from Black Isle Brewery to create a backpacker hostel in Academy Street, while a new Travelodge hotel will soon open across the road.
Plans have just been unveiled to convert the derelict Farmfoods supermarket building in Academy Street into a mixture of homes, shops and offices.
On Friday, Revolution bar will open in the city’s Church Street, and the funky new interior could be seen for the first time over the weekend through a large glass frontage.
Inverness BID manager Mike Smith said: “It’s a very good time in Inverness and there is a lot of private investment going into the city centre and much of it is in hospitality.
“The port is obviously an important area of the city and we would welcome further development and an upgrading of that area.”
