These are changing times for Aberdeen. The Granite City is right now in the midst of a 25 year regeneration scheme, bringing with it new jobs and investment. Dubbed the City Centre Masterplan, it features a total of 50 projects, including new housing and better access to local amenities.
Late 2017 saw the completion of Marischal Square: a mixed-use development in Broad Street combining office and retail space. Meanwhile, work is underway on the North East 250 road, which will serve the important purpose of increasing the number of visitors to Aberdeen.
For all the issues that Aberdeen’s experienced as a result of the oil industry, the future looks bright. Here are five new projects and developments on the way for Aberdeen:
Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre
The Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre has, up to now, been located on the Bridge of Don, but is due to move to a new site in Bucksburn. Replacing it is a multi-million pound complex and arena boasting 540,000 square feet of conference space. The new centre will be situated close to Aberdeen Airport, and is estimated at bringing an additional 4.5 million visitors to Aberdeen by 2025.
Aberdeen Art Gallery
A £30 million pound transformation is on the cards for the Aberdeen Art Gallery, and is expected to bring in £1.1 million in spend for the local economy. Once completed, it will feature a 500 square metre art space, along with a top floor café bar and roof terrace. The new gallery is due to open in early 2019.
Aberdeen Bypass
Currently one of the largest infrastructure projects in the city, the Aberdeen Bypass or Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, is under development and yet to be given a completion date. Troubled construction giant, Carillion, has been closely involved in its building, together with Galliford Try and Balfour Beatty. The ambition is for the road to dramatically improve transport links to the city by reducing congestion and providing a new gateway for heavy goods vehicles.
Union Terrace Gardens
Architectural firm, LDA Design, has been tasked with revamping Aberdeen’s historic Union Terrace Gardens: a public park situated between Aberdeen train station and the Bon Accord & St Nicholas shopping centre. The £20 million pound revitalisation project will see the introduction of lifts, ramps and new steps to the site, along with a beautiful lighting installation.
https://twitter.com/LDADesign/status/934004348086050817
Provost Skene’s House
This city centre landmark is earmarked for refurbishment, and was originally set to re-open at the end of 2017. However, plans have been put on hold, while the costs are re-evaluated. If the project goes ahead, it will mean that the historical building is transformed into a new museum celebrating the achievements of Aberdonians, past and present. The “Hall of Heroes” exhibition on-site will feature such local heroes as Lord Byron and Denis Law, and is being introduced to broaden the appeal of the space.
https://twitter.com/EveningExpress/status/933337643785564161
Sources
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/positive-tourism-outlook-after-successful-2017/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-42079484
