THE Highland capital is on the verge of a building boom that would generate hundreds of jobs and change the face of the city centre.
Plans for a luxury riverside hotel promise to transform an eyesore site, and flats and shops are proposed in a separate project in Academy Street.
The “buzz” surrounding the planned new developments will be boosted by the local authority’s own proposals for sports facilities at Torvean to replace those that will be lost at the Bught when the new West Link Road is built.
Aberdeen-based Carlton Rock wants to create the Friars Hotel on the site of the former council-owned swimming pool in Glebe Street.
The L-shaped four-star complex would have 165 bedrooms, many with balconies overlooking the River Ness.
There would also be a riverside restaurant, lounge bar, gym and conference facilities. The developer believes the scheme would create a new gateway to and from the centre of Inverness, and hopes it would also encourage people to “promenade” along the river and visit the bar and restaurant.
Meanwhile, construction of a new block of flats in Academy Street could start in June, if councillors give the go-ahead.
Ark Estates, part of William Gray Construction, has submitted plans for 31 flats, with two shops at street level.
A terrace of B-listed buildings at numbers 92-94 would be demolished to make way for the new development.
Councillors rejected previous plans for a hotel on the site amid opposition to the building’s design.
The new layout includes a walkway below the flats leading to the car park in Rose Street – an area that is also earmarked for future development.
A report to be presented to councillors next week says six letters were received in support of the plan, citing the area as being in much need of economic regeneration.
Developer Willie Gray said: “This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by ourselves, our architects and the planners, who have put a lot of effort into ensuring the design was right for the site and also meets the needs of the area.
“I appreciate you’ll never get a design that pleases everybody but we’ve been heartened by the positive comments we’ve had.
“We hope the councillors feel able to support this project, which will deliver good-quality accommodation in a good-quality building and will help to reinvigorate the old town.
“We would aim to be on-site by mid-June, which would send out a strong message that things are moving forward.
“This could also be a catalyst to kick-start a newly vibrant city centre.”
Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol said: “There is a buzz around, which is hugely positive.
“If we can convert that good feeling into real development that is going to be positive.
“If we can pull everything together, then we start to make a significant and huge investment in the centre of the city.”
John West, chairman of Inverness Civic Trust, said the group welcomed the prospect of new development in the city centre, but added that members would have preferred more “imagination” in the designs.