No matter where in the world they were – whether London or even Africa – the Granite City always had a special place in the hearts of the Hey family.
They could take comfort from the fact that they knew there was a special place waiting for them back there.
It was 35 years ago that Veronica and Michael Hey bought 10 Albert Terrace and lived there for many years with their three children.
A career in the oil and gas sector had brought the family to Aberdeen, but it was the charm and cosiness of this great home that has kept them here.
Veronica said their solicitor advised them to view the property in the first place.
“We had a young family, so our priorities were looking for something that would be a nice family home which was conveniently located near schools,” she said. “Albert Terrace had it all.
“We were initially looking at a 30-mile radius of Aberdeen, so as far as Aboyne, but we felt that Albert Terrace was a great location in terms of amenities and it is only 15 minutes to the rest of Grampian, so it was perfect.”
The five-bedroom home forms part of a terrace of fine granite homes in a sought-after street in the west end of the city.
The elegant category B-listed mid-terrace home was designed by the eminent “Architect of Aberdeen”, Archibald Simpson, and constructed in the 1850s.
Veronica said the houses may look the same from the outside but each one had been individually designed inside.
While Number 10 has been updated over the years, it retains its charm and character in the form of picture and dado rails, double-height skirtings in several rooms, leaded glass, sash-and-case windows on the front aspect, panelled doors and high ceilings.
It is a beautiful home both inside and out.
“I just thought it was like a Tardis when I first saw it,” Veronica said.
“It’s very peaceful and cosy. It doesn’t take much to heat it.
“We had to completely gut it when we bought it but I enjoyed that process. It’s a great family house over three floors, so there is a lot of space.
“It’s not just the size of the rooms, though. We have a lot of them. I’ve seen other houses where the rooms are bigger but there are less of them. I prefer it the way we have it.
“There is a lovely flow through the house and each room has its own unique atmosphere. There is a completely different atmosphere in the library and drawing room to what you experience in the dining room.”
There are many fantastic highlights in this home but my favourites have to be the traditional lounge, with its stone fireplace, the sun-filled conservatory, the relaxed family area with access to the garden and the cosy sitting room with bar area and kitchenette, which could be easily be used as a fifth bedroom.
Choosing a favourite room is not easy for Veronica, who says she loves everything about her historic home.
“Each room is filled with its own great features and memories,” she said.
“One might be the children’s old bedroom, another might be where we had a great party. That’s another thing with this house: the rooms are really flexible so they can change as your life does. So one of our rooms used to be a playroom, then it was a bedroom and now it’s a bar.”
The location is also something the family have enjoyed over the years. Albert Terrace is a tree-lined cobbled street that forms part of a conservation area in the west end of the city.
Union Street is within easy walking distance and there is also a choice of specialist shops on Thistle Street, Rose Street and Chapel Street, an area affectionately known as Little Chelsea. The offices, tea shops, cafe-bars and restaurants of the west end are within easy reach and Ashley Road Primary School and Aberdeen Grammar School are within walking distance.
“There is also great community here too,” Veronica said.
“We are part of the residents association and they do a lot in the area. It is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
“From the sitting room, you get lovely views of the terrace, which the residents association has put a lot of work into.
“So looking out the window you would think you are in the middle of the country rather than in a city. It’s so quiet here too. That’s one of the things people are most surprised about.”
For job reasons, the Heys have not always been able to stay in their Aberdeen home and have rented it out in the past. But despite being away from it, they never thought to sell it.
“Aberdeen was our adopted home,” said Veronica. “It didn’t matter where we were in the world, we always thought of Aberdeen as our home.
“That was terribly important for us, to have somewhere as a base, for our emotional security as well as financially. It was nice to know that we had somewhere to come home to.”
But now the time has come for the couple to put their home on the market after deciding to move south to be closer to their grandchildren. The house is now on the market for offers over £600,000.
Veronica said: “This house will definitely take some beating. We’ve been here for a long time. It’s just a very unique townhouse. There are probably many houses that have tried to copy the design of the granite houses but nothing beats the original.
“We will be very sad to leave. My sister lives in the city and we have all our friends and family as well. I will definitely miss the community.
“This house has meant a lot to a lot of people.”
Contact: Simpson & Marwick on 01224 622622.
