Queues formed outside Aberdeen Art Gallery yesterday as residents flocked to get their first look at plans for a £107million civic plaza.
Developer Muse’s new Marischal Square proposals would transform Broad Street into a public space free of cars and buses where people could walk between shops and restaurants.
The proposals include 175,000sq ft of office accommodation, 250 parking spaces, a 125-bed hotel and 42,900sq ft of civic space in Broad Street, between Marischal College and the Marischal Square development.
Marie Boulton, the deputy leader of the city council, said: “The people we have spoken to are happy with the designs, and the fact they have come round from what had been described as ‘glass boxes’.
“There are people who have concerns about the traffic and that is something that we will look at.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to pedestrianise Broad Street, but we have to make sure it works.”
The latest vision marks a departure from the proposals unveiled in the autumn.
Fears had been raised that Provost Skene’s House would be overshadowed by the complex, on the site of the former St Nicholas House, but the developer has revised the plans to give the historic property greater prominence.
Steve Turner, regional director of Muse Developments, said: “It’s early days, but I think the general reaction from the public is that we are listening to the feedback we have been given at previous consultations. People can see the changes that have been made as the scheme has progressed and we’ve had some fairly positive feedback.
“Provost Skene’s House was one of the elements that people wanted to see more of, and we’ve taken that on board.
“There were concerns about the use of glass, but we’re going to be using a mix of materials.
“It’s been a gradual process. This the most high-profile street in Aberdeen and an important part of the country as a whole.
“Our design team has spent a lot of time making sure we have got the elevations right.”
A steady stream of people made their way through the doors of the art gallery yesterday to look at the plans. Many welcomed the redevelopment, but others wanted to see more open space.
Bob Donald, 53, said: “The plans look good but I’m a bit concerned about the increase in the number of shops. There’s so many in Aberdeen as it is and Union Street is pretty much dead these days. This isn’t going to help.
“Pedestrianising Broad Street seems a good idea, but it will push traffic on to other roads in a city which already seems to be gridlocked.”
The project is expected to create 300 construction jobs and could potentially sustain 1,500 jobs in the area after it is completed in 2017.
Under a funding agreement with Aviva Investors, Aberdeen City Council would lease the Marischal Square development and receive rental profits for 35 years, after which ownership would transfer to the local authority.
Demolition work at St Nicholas House – the council’s home from 1968 to 2011 – is continuing and a formal planning application will be lodged this month. Councillors backed plans for a new civic space in the city centre last year.
The principle of a “pedestrian priority” plaza was first considered as part of the Bon Accord Quarter masterplan drawn up by council staff in 2006.
It was included in the Aberdeen City Centre Development Framework published in 2010 and adopted as supplementary guidance in 2012.
The Muse redevelopment plan was selected from a shortlist of four options.
The Marischal Square exhibition at the art gallery concludes today. It is open from 10am to 3pm.
Exhibition materials will also be on display in the reception area of Marischal College from April 7 to 17.