Dandara to re-work Aberdeen's Triple Kirks as student housing
March 26 2015
As such a new proposal of application will be made for the prominent scheme, for which site enabling works have already taken place, based on the existing consent.
Neil Young, commercial director at Dandara, said: “Changing The Point from a Grade A office to academic accommodation has been driven by market cycles.
“The commercial property market remains strong in Aberdeen and we continue to invest heavily in commercial development throughout the region. Within the city core however the dynamic has changed with a significant amount of office development is under way.
“Our flexibility and market-leading capability as a premium housebuilder has allowed us to review our plans and re-approach this iconic site to deliver a development that will benefit the city.”
Tenants had been actively sought for the Halliday Fraser Munro designed build but Dandara will now focus its letting efforts on the City South Office Park.
14 Comments
#2 Posted by Tepid Mouse on 26 Mar 2015 at 17:36 PM
More PR spin. I read this as "far too much office building taking place in Aberdeen, the bottom has fallen out of the oil industry and the offices will lie empty. Better change it to student digs instead or we are on to a loser"
#3 Posted by Big Chantelle on 27 Mar 2015 at 07:16 AM
What gets built in Aberdeen is absolutely atrocious. Yep, beside a gothic stone church steeple, suffocate it with ugly, boxy modernist boxes. It's all a mess.
#4 Posted by Jon on 27 Mar 2015 at 09:29 AM
@#3 Big Chantelle
For once, I agree with you!
For once, I agree with you!
#5 Posted by Big Chantelle on 27 Mar 2015 at 10:19 AM
@ Jon
Glad to hear you're coming round to the good side.
Glad to hear you're coming round to the good side.
#6 Posted by neo on 27 Mar 2015 at 10:27 AM
geezo, never thought i'd see the day i agree with big chantelle on domething, but here it is.
#7 Posted by Big Chantelle on 27 Mar 2015 at 10:36 AM
@Neo
It's called 'seeing the light'.
#teambigchantelle
It's called 'seeing the light'.
#teambigchantelle
#8 Posted by FHM on 27 Mar 2015 at 11:20 AM
Oh come on all ye naysayers. This is just what this parochial town with too much money actually needs - another unique and utterly magnificent building clad in granite and glass. The detailing where it ignores the dilapidated listed spire is (excuse the pun) simply inspiring. I just wish more of a lack of respect appeared in our contemporary buildings.
All hail Aberdeen, the Oil Capital Of Europe!
All hail Aberdeen, the Oil Capital Of Europe!
#9 Posted by Darth Vader on 27 Mar 2015 at 13:28 PM
I think it would make a good church.
#10 Posted by Del on 27 Mar 2015 at 14:25 PM
Dandara - The overpriced developer. It's about time the company opened it's eyes to the fact that Operators/Service companies are laying off thousands of staff and contractors at the moment. Aberdeen isn't as wealthy as this company clearly thinks it is. Over populating Aberdeen with over priced commercial and residential buildings is going to have a negative impact at some point and this is clearly the beginning of it. Grade A state of the art commercial to Student Accommodation - Wow what a desperate sales strategy if i've ever seen one - massive drop in standard. Do students have this sort of cash to spend on their drunken digs?
Please do contact me let me know when you decide to reduce your 3 bedroom homes from half a million to a realistic price. :-)
Please do contact me let me know when you decide to reduce your 3 bedroom homes from half a million to a realistic price. :-)
#11 Posted by Jon on 27 Mar 2015 at 15:16 PM
Presumably, this change of proposal of use comes after an extensive assessment by Dandara to establish the need for student housing in this specific location, not to mention consulting with the planning departments local development plan? I would question whether housing is an appropriate use of this site, given the commercial/cultural nature of surrounding buildings. I would also question the need for student housing in this particular location given that RGU is in the process of moving its main campus to Garthdee and much of AU being located out with the city centre.
I would hope that the same construction values are applied to any change of use building (areas of glazing, quality of materials etc) but given the vast differences between high end commercial/office and student housing design values and build costs, I would hazard that the end product from a change of use would be markedly different to that which has been proposed. Let us bear in mind The Point was already a contentious design
I would hope that the same construction values are applied to any change of use building (areas of glazing, quality of materials etc) but given the vast differences between high end commercial/office and student housing design values and build costs, I would hazard that the end product from a change of use would be markedly different to that which has been proposed. Let us bear in mind The Point was already a contentious design
#12 Posted by Cateran on 29 Mar 2015 at 13:45 PM
Whoever came up with this design and the lame excuse for the change in use has clearly wasted their years and is in the wrong profession.
From the 'Children's Bumper Book of Generic Office Designs'.
From the 'Children's Bumper Book of Generic Office Designs'.
#13 Posted by Rory McGregor on 8 Apr 2015 at 13:16 PM
Aw, that's a shame, didn't realise the Kirks had bit the dust. Used to be a cracking pub in the 90's. Played a couple of gigs up the stairs in Exodus too.
#14 Posted by someone that used to live in Aberdeen on 11 Apr 2015 at 18:56 PM
Wow, as someone that used to bide in the middle of Aberdeen I was so happy when I read the headline!
Then I looked at the photos and wondered if they are trying to outdo Marischal Square. I even checked the date this was posted(not even kidding) to see if this was an April Fools.
Why exactly do they plan on smothering interesting old architecture and making their own look worse, I mean just what are they thinking?
Then I looked at the photos and wondered if they are trying to outdo Marischal Square. I even checked the date this was posted(not even kidding) to see if this was an April Fools.
Why exactly do they plan on smothering interesting old architecture and making their own look worse, I mean just what are they thinking?
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