An Aberdeen engineering design firm has breathed new life into a historic landmark with a £1million investment.
Cadherent has moved its 20 staff into the C-listed former warehouse on the city’s North Esplanade West, which was built in 1937 but now offers all the mod-cons.
The renaissance-style granite building, built by John Bisset & Sons, was once known as the ‘Caretaker’s House’ as well as formerly housing food manufacturer Unilever and fizzy drinks firm Aberdeen Mineral Water Co.
David Thomson, managing director of Cadherent, said the move from its former premises near Rosemount was “strategic”, moving to an area of “considerable regeneration for the oil and gas sector”.
“Since Cadherent’s launch in 2006, the team has worked hard to establish the company as a leader in engineering, design and visualisation,” he said: “Although market conditions are notably challenging, this is a strategic move for the company, which will see us enable future development in a central area of the city.
“Due to the nature of the city, we are predominantly oil and gas sector focussed and felt this is the perfect opportunity to increase our visibility directly within this marketplace. Having considered various options around the city, this building provided us with a unique opportunity to join an area of significant regeneration and investment from some of the world’s leading oil and gas based businesses, whilst also helping to restore a little piece of history.”
Following a six month renovation, which included the treatment of the granite front and fit out of the interior, the firm also aims to establish its new office as a hub for the arts.
“We are also very interested in setting up some sort of community art project for the regeneration of the warehouse space – so there are some exciting things to come,” said Me Thomson.