News:

HOLMES APPOINTED TO DESIGN MARISCHAL COLLEGE REDEVELOPMENT

7 November 2007

Holmes has been appointed to design the scheme to convert Aberdeen’s Marischal College into the City Council’s new corporate HQ. Holmes was chosen from a shortlist of five by an Aberdeen City Council selection panel.

The practice will act as lead consultant on the Marischal Project, as part of a team comprising Arup Scotland as the civil and structural engineer and Wallace Whittle as building services engineer.

Harry Phillips, chairman of Holmes and project leader, said: “We at Holmes are delighted to have been appointed as architects for this truly exceptional project. The redevelopment of Marischal College is one of the most exciting schemes in the country and we look forward to delivering a magnificent new facility for Aberdeen City Council.”

Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Kate Dean said: “The appointment of these firms, who are among the leaders in their fields, puts in place a real A-Team worthy of converting our A-listed Marischal College.

“Aberdeen deserves the best for its best building. I believe we have signed up architects, engineers, project managers and quantity surveyors who are as excited and as enthusiastic as we at the council are about completing this unique project.”

In July Aberdeen City Council re-confirmed its commitment to the Marischal Project and capped the budget at £80.4 million. Council properties surplus to requirements will be sold off to help meet the bill.

The scheme will involve the demolition of the Marischal College interior, which will be replaced by a 21st century office building providing 174,000 sq ft of modern office space over four floors for up to 1,300 city council staff.

The conversion will create some 200 parking spaces, ensure the retention of all the granite elevations, and provide a new, predominantly open-plan interior of contemporary, hi-tech and sustainable design.

The project will pave the way for:

* the preservation of the 100-year-old A-listed Marischal College facade;
* the demolition of St Nicholas House;
* the creation of a new civic square and the wide-ranging renewal of the city centre around Broad  Street and Upperkirkgate;
* the continuation of an accessible city centre location for the city council;
* the retention of the spending power of more than 1,000 council staff in the city centre to support shops and businesses.

(Image copyright: Aberdeen City Council )

For further information and images contact John Pelan