You know, I've been thunderstruck by some of the developments in the past few months across in the great city of Aberdeen. The spectacular God's Own Golf Course takes shape out at Menie, fine tuned by my hero Dr Donald Trump. Union Terrace Gardens is set to be flattened at last - or should I say filled up - but either way it will be an improvement over the rat filled slum that is there at the moment.
But one of the things that has really caught my attention is the proposal by one of the Aberdeen area's greatest ever entrepreneur's, Wee Stewartie Milne! An admirer recently alerted me to the Triple Kirks Development slap bang next to Union Terrace Gardens and I've shown an image of the proposal above - fantastic isn't it? This landmark development will offer 72,000 sq ft of the highest quality Grade A office accommodation right in the heart of Aberdeen City - amazing!
The Triple Kirks were unique in Scotland in being three separate yet adjoining churches sharing a common steeple - the Wee Free and the Episcopalian churches couldn't afford their own steeples so they decided to use the Church of Scotland's one. Now fortunately the original buildings have deteriorated over the years and most were demolished some time ago. Sadly though, the steeple remains and is a blot on the landscape and an impediment to development in the hands of lesser people. But due to the sheer brilliance of Wee Stewartie Milne and his incredibly skilled team of world class architects led by, you guessed it...Halliday Fraser Munro..., an amazing composition of new buildings has been assembled around the old spire. Fantastic! With HFM leading this team, this is a roll out of talent that has world famous starchitects quaking in their boots - I'm reliably informed.
Now I'm sure you are all very wise and worldly people out there so you won't need to be told that when it comes to working on site, the church steeple will be history - demolished in an 'unfortunate accident' so don't think the development will be compromised by this miserable bit of old Aberdeen. Together with the huge retail development proposed for Union Terrace Gardens, this will drive Aberdeen forward and ahead of every other city in Europe. Everything Wee Stewartie Milne touches turns to gold, just like his longstanding involvement in Aberdeen Football Club which saw it just escape relegation last season. It is currently putting in a stellar performance at second bottom of the Scottish Premier League so this is an improvement by any measure.
Personally I look forward to this development being implemented and my hearty congratulations go out to all those involved - a big tick and a gold star in my notebook!
6 comments:
the church steeple will be history - demolished in an 'unfortunate accident'
Seriously? If it has to be demolished as 'an unfortunate accident', that pretty much tells me that it's not something that is meant to be demolished at all? Should it not actually be left as a part of Aberdeen's history rather than being destroyed forever because that's what you and some other people want? Not everyone will agree with you - and something ultra modern will look out of place there. Aberdeen is unique, it has character that's all it's own. Why make it look like you could be anywhere else?
Can I be pertinent and ask if there is money to be made in this venture? If so, would you be this excited about creating an 'unfortunate accident'/rejoicing that part of the area's uniqueness is earmarked for covert demolition?
Hello there anonymous and thanks for joining in the debate - Aberdeen is a city of change and the writing is on the wall for these old bits of town. Conservation is important but only in small quantities - wealth and riches are more important of course.
Best wishes
Dave T
Hi there :)
I do agree with you about moving on. Aberdeen is such a strong identity with the with the beautiful quality granite buildings and unmistakably Scottish. Do you think there is a danger of it becoming just like everywhere else if generic looking buildings spring up all over? That would be my biggest worry, Aberdeen is largely untouched and unspoiled. Even state of the art buildings are outdated within a very short period of time, relatively speaking. There's no way you can turn back the clock or replicate what once stood, not authentically. Since Aberdeen developed, there has never been a period of time that has seen a more handsome and quality period of building style. Look at Cumbernauld, for instance. Fantastic of it's time but it's time came and went very quickly.
Modern can be fantastic, look at Canary Wharf, a place I'm very fond of as I worked there for many years. Even then, some of the blocks are beginning to look pretty dated. I honestly feel concern that state of the art buildings will look very out of place in Aberdeen. Not because they're on their own, or even in any number, but because Aberdeen is what is already there. If has new blocks appearing here and there, it won't be Aberdeen any longer.
Conservation is key, in my opinion, but faithful to when the buildings were originally erected. Aberdeen really deserves to stand out from the crowd as a traditionally Scottish city and that's exactly what it does. Even if it's just the Union Street/main street area that remains true to Aberdeen's heritage.
Just out of interest, what would be the facing materials of the new development? If it's going to exist, I'd really like to see a polished granite fascia, ie that of the FSA building in the North Colonnade, Canary Wharf. This, I feel, would fit in with what is already there and would be true in some way to the faithfulness of such a beautiful city. I have three favourite cities - Florence, London and Aberdeen. Florence has been developed impeccably and sensitively, London is eclectic and so vast that each area works within it's context, and Aberdeen is handsome and proud. Seeing Aberdeen turn into London, with many styles, will be a huge mistake, in my opinion. For what it's worth!
Beverly
I didn't mean to imply that this decision is solely financially motivated, everything is to a certain degree - we all need a roof and food! What I meant by my question was if there would be less money if Triple Kirks were restored and maybe the frontagefoyer to the new unit?
Hello Beverly and thanks for coming on board! Your comments raise a number of important issues. Aberdeen is without doubt the powerhouse of Scotland's economy so it's important that planning doesn't hold back the economy. Aberdeen developed as the silver city because of enterprise and enterprise will also ensure its future - whatever that will be. Personally a bit of colour wouldn't go amiss.
Yours in planning
Dave T
I completely agree with everything you've said Dave. I'm so concerned that Aberdeen will lose it's strong, unique character! It is a real sturdy, proud city and it personifies (for me) the whole character of the Highlands. I feel unless future developments take on the same strength of Scottish character without being stark - and unique in it's own right, it's going to be very difficult to look at it and know you're in Aberdeen and not somewhere like Liverpool or Manchester. Not that there's anything wrong with them - it's just Aberdeen has a massively different character. It's going to take something pretty special to fit the bill.
With colour, yes, I agree with that, too. The FSA building is pink granite and it gleams. I'm not suggesting pink for Aberdeen though! I'm including a link - it's the building on the right (not Canada Square itself) http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=the+north+colonnade&hl=en&ll=51.505871,-0.020019&spn=0.004574,0.011362&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=17.83271,46.538086&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=51.505871,-0.020019&cbp=12,0,,0,0&photoid=po-3490450
The HSBC tower is one of my other favourites, it has a phenomenal colour. It doesn't matter what the weather is doing, it always makes you feel as though it's warm and sunny. It's been there for over a decade and it still looks current. There's a lot of water around there so it fits, and all the buildings are subtly different colours. Have you been there?
Have you got any particular colours in mind? I expect that's been decided long ago?
I have just realised that if this was taking place anywhere other than Aberdeen, I don't think I'd be particularly bothered!
Beverly
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