Talks are underway to secure funding for the renovation of a 17th century Aberdeen landmark.
The derelict Wallace Tower on Tillydrone Road is to be transformed into a meeting place for the community if plans are approved.
But in order to move forward with the project, the Tillydrone Community Development Trust needs to secure £400,000 to revive the building, which has been neglected for a number of years.
The trust has already applied to planners to bring the tower back to life.
Councillor Ross Grant, the trust chairman, said the funding is “crucial” for the future of the project.
He added: “Since the application went in there has been discussions with both communities, Tillydrone and Old Aberdeen, and going forward hopefully we can get support for the proposal.
“In the coming weeks we are looking to meet with a number of potential financial supporters and we remain confident we will get the funding in place over the next six to nine months.
“This project is all about working with, and for, the community and it’s all about making sure it has support from a range of quarters.”
The tower was built in the early part of the 17th century as a residency for Sir Robert Keith of Benholm.
In 1964, the building was transferred brick-by-brick from its original city-centre location to its current site to make way for a Marks and Spencer store.
Together with Historic Scotland and Aberdeen architect George Douglas, the trust has been working on a design for the new hub which will encompass a cafe, a gallery and office space.
Councillor Grant continued: “Ultimately, this is a project that has been started by the community and, vitally, it has been co-ordinated by residents in the area.
“The idea going forward is to have a self-sustaining community building for the city of Aberdeen.
“It’s important to make sure we have a whole range of supporters going forward.
“Our initial cost estimate has went up because of a number of alterations we have made to the plans to make sure we get the balance right between preserving the original building and making it usable.”
It is hoped the renovation project will be completed and the centre open by the end of 2016.