Aberdeen Asset Management (AAM) and the University of Aberdeen have cleared a major hurdle in their bid to convert Marischal College to 168,000 square feet of offices following Aberdeen City Council’s decision today (Thursday, December 6) to grant consent.
The Council resolution is subject to negotiation of a legal agreement covering off-site works and Green Transport Plan, a number of detailed planning conditions and referral to Historic Scotland.
University of Aberdeen Principal C Duncan Rice said: “We are delighted that AAM has been granted consent in principle to redevelop this building as their new global headquarters. We now look forward to working with AAM to create a new beginning for this magnificent building.”
AAM Chief Executive, Martin Gilbert, said he was delighted that AAM had received a positive endorsement from the City of Aberdeen to the proposed scheme.
“We are hopeful of a response from Historic Scotland early in 2002,” he said.
“This will enable us to commence negotiations on the legal agreement with the Council and carry out further site investigations as required by the planning regulations. The Council has stipulated a number of strict conditions for grant of detailed consent and our consultants must ensure that these can be complied with without compromising the proposed use of the building.”
AAM hopes to commence building work on the scheme during 2002 with completion in 2003/4. The company remains the principal occupier and excess space will be made available for letting.
Martin Gilbert added: “Our intention from the outset was to let some of the space given the size of the scheme. The planning application has already generated interest from prospective occupiers without any formal marketing and the resolution to grant planning consent gives credibility to the scheme thus permitting us to take these enquiries further.”
Further information from University Press Officers Alison Ramsay (07970 813579) or Angela Begg (07773 358962).
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 272014 Fax: 01224 272086
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.