The people of Aberdeen are to be given the chance to influence the shape of the new civic space which will replace the council’s former headquarters.
Consultation on the £100million Marischal Square project will begin on Wednesday and the public will be asked how they envisage the development transforming the former St Nicholas House site.
Leading the consultation process is Muse Developments, one of the UK’s leading commercial development and urban regeneration organisations.
It will be working alongside Aberdeen City Council to create a vision for the space, which is surrounded by some of the city’s most attractive buildings, including Provost Skene’s House and Marischal College.
The detailed planning application for the scheme is expected to be lodged next year and those involved in leading the development are keen to gauge people’s views so they can be incorporated into the designs.
The plans for the mixed-use development include offices, a hotel, restaurants, leisure and civic spaces, along with public access, landscaping, car parking and public realm improvements. Deputy leader of Aberdeen City Council, Councillor Marie Boulton, said: “The proposed Marischal Square development is a very exciting project for the whole of Aberdeen.
“The redevelopment of the site to provide a mixed-use development with a significant amount of civic space is something which I am quite sure everyone in Aberdeen will have a view on.”
Both parties are already involved in positive discussions with leading hotel providers keen to get involved in the project.
Steve Turner, Muse regional director for Scotland, said he expected significant interest in every aspect of the development from those living and working in the city.
He said: “Both we and the council want the people of Aberdeen to be fully involved in every element of the project from the start and we are here to listen to their views on what they want from an area which will play a vital role in the city’s future.”
The public exhibition events are scheduled to take place at Aberdeen Art Gallery in Schoolhill between 10am-5pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and between 10.30am-3pm on Saturday. A consultation bus will be at key sites in Garthdee Road, Springfield Road, Oscar Road, Springhill Road and Scotstown Road on Friday and Saturday.