Aberdeen’s Union Square shopping mall set for expansion
August 18 2015
This work will see the existing BDP designed centre reconfigured to accommodate the expansion.
Union Square general manager, Ryan Manson said: “The Council’s City Centre Masterplan provides us with a framework to ensure that we are delivering a plan which will not just benefit the region economically, but also enhance this inspirational destination for the Aberdeen community.”
A series of public consultations are scheduled for September with a detailed planning application expected before the year end.
Favourable conclusion of this process could see work commence on the extension by 2017 for completion by spring 2019.
7 Comments
#2 Posted by Scott Lawrie on 18 Aug 2015 at 15:37 PM
Urban Realm you have used a photo which shows proposed plans for the Trinity Centre and not Union Square as part of the City Centre Master plan. Union Square plans to extend to its South over the existing external surface car park. The picture you have shown is incorrect. Could you update your picture to show a more relevant image?
#3 Posted by Urban Realm on 18 Aug 2015 at 15:52 PM
Hi Scott - I've added a photograph of the existing centre.
#4 Posted by Scott Lawrie on 18 Aug 2015 at 16:39 PM
Thanks UR :)
#5 Posted by Jonathan on 18 Aug 2015 at 17:17 PM
Scott,
Raises a point - why has the city commissioned a £500k master plan, which proposed a redevelopment of Trinity to make better linkage, more shopping units etc, and yet from the scant information made available been completely ignored in the proposal by Union Square?
Building more shops on the existing car car which already suffers from serious infrastructure issues? Another multiplex cinema in a city that already has three? Not to mention sucking more retail space away from an already struggling Union Street...
Raises a point - why has the city commissioned a £500k master plan, which proposed a redevelopment of Trinity to make better linkage, more shopping units etc, and yet from the scant information made available been completely ignored in the proposal by Union Square?
Building more shops on the existing car car which already suffers from serious infrastructure issues? Another multiplex cinema in a city that already has three? Not to mention sucking more retail space away from an already struggling Union Street...
#6 Posted by Al on 18 Aug 2015 at 18:03 PM
The Trinity Centre will be a lot of work for how much added space in reality? The Union Square car park works as an easy option to expand retail space.
How's about knocking down half of Union St and replacing with the modern large floor plate spaces that retailers want these days. Or do we just let it reinvent itself with smaller scale retail and restaurants to service the West End office district.
Anyway, lets hope whatever gets built in town chokes of future demand for a Gyle / Fort / Braehead / Straiton at Westhill.
How's about knocking down half of Union St and replacing with the modern large floor plate spaces that retailers want these days. Or do we just let it reinvent itself with smaller scale retail and restaurants to service the West End office district.
Anyway, lets hope whatever gets built in town chokes of future demand for a Gyle / Fort / Braehead / Straiton at Westhill.
#7 Posted by Scott Lawrie on 20 Aug 2015 at 11:19 AM
Jonathan,
The Masterplan also included plans for Union Square to expand over its car park. If you have a look at some of the pictures from the Masterplan you can see the Surface Car Park no longer exists in it. The Cinema in Union Square will merely be redeveloped to include IMAX Screens. But yes I do think we have an overkill of cinemas.
The Trinity Centre redevelopment is a much longer term aspiration, which still needs buy in from the actual owners of it.
The 2013 Retail Study carried out by ACC recommended various sites ahead of Union Squares one (Woolmanhill, Union Street BHS Buildings) so it looks as though they have now been ruled out for the moment.
Al- I agree totally- Would love it if they would do what they have done on Buchannan Street with the new build block of Large floorplate retail buildings with flats above. A Prime site for this would be that monstrosity of a building next to the Music Hall.
The Masterplan also included plans for Union Square to expand over its car park. If you have a look at some of the pictures from the Masterplan you can see the Surface Car Park no longer exists in it. The Cinema in Union Square will merely be redeveloped to include IMAX Screens. But yes I do think we have an overkill of cinemas.
The Trinity Centre redevelopment is a much longer term aspiration, which still needs buy in from the actual owners of it.
The 2013 Retail Study carried out by ACC recommended various sites ahead of Union Squares one (Woolmanhill, Union Street BHS Buildings) so it looks as though they have now been ruled out for the moment.
Al- I agree totally- Would love it if they would do what they have done on Buchannan Street with the new build block of Large floorplate retail buildings with flats above. A Prime site for this would be that monstrosity of a building next to the Music Hall.
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This appears to be a replacement of the Trinity Centre with Debenhams as its anchor store?
There appears to be a desire by the Council to concentrate provision stretching from the Bon Accord / St Nicholas down to Union Sq.
Adjacent businesses will suffer as passing footfall reduces. May be good for architectural planning but is it a good move for the city centre generally? I think not.