An Aberdeen bar and restaurant destroyed in a fire could remain a ruin after plans for a new extension were refused by the council.
The former Dizzy’s nightclub, then known as Valentino’s, was reduced to a charred shell at Christmas in 2019.
Plans to repair what’s left of the building, and revive it as a venue, were approved earlier this year.
They were followed quickly by another proposal for the 70 Carden Place spot – with owners eager to complete the restoration only if they can add a new rear extension.
Images sent to the council as talks progressed revealed how the three-storey block would look.
But following a heated back and forth between developers and the local authority, those plans have now been rejected.
Owners, local law firm Quantum Claims who previously had an office in the building, have vowed to appeal the verdict.
If rejected again, the now-derelict site would face an uncertain future.
Why the need for such a large office extension at Dizzy’s?
The initial plans to revive the main Dizzy’s building as a bar and restaurant caused little in the way of controversy.
It was the second application, for “modern office accommodation to meet today’s market requirements” that raised eyebrows in the planning department.
Explaining the need for it, Fitzgerald architects referenced the abundance of vacancy signs littering the area.
Architects said firms are increasingly moving away from these types of granite building.
And they argued that rebuilding it like-for-like would be “unreasonable”, given market conditions.
Fitzgerald also claimed the “light and transparent structure” would not “impinge on the views over roofs to the spires of Aberdeen”.
Office block extension an ‘optimum solution’?
After being warned the scheme was likely to be rebuffed, Fitzgerald sought the backing of Savills chartered surveyors – who tried to sway the council’s stance.
Savills said: “We are extremely well placed to advise on what is required from a modern office building.
“It is our view that the proposed design provides an optimum solution, which will give us best chances to lease the building and bring much needed regeneration to the west end of Aberdeen.”
Savills stressed that businesses are growing opposed to “cellular office space”, with such premises “unlikely to attract sufficient demand ever again”.
They added: “The design takes account of the demand from the majority of occupiers for a mix of open plan and cellular space.
“It will also provide us the flexibility to cater for demand from a single occupier, or to lease on a floor by floor basis.”
The firm warned that any reduction in the size of the proposal would “compromise marketability”.
Dizzy’s office extension would ‘engulf’ the building
But council case officer Ross McMahon remained unmoved.
He told the developers that the Dizzy’s office extension “would have an overly dominant impact on the reconstructed villa and the surrounding conservation area”.
Mr McMahon cautioned that the “incongruous” block would “engulf” the villa last known as Valentino’s before the fire left it a ruin.
And he branded it an “intrusive mass” that would be a detriment to the historic area.
What does this mean for Dizzy’s revamp?
The rejection means that Quantum Claims will take its application to the Scottish Government on appeal.
While permission has been granted to restore Dizzy’s, it is unlikely any work will begin until the dispute is resolved.
And the owners are reluctant to proceed without that extension.
Do you think the plans should have been approved? Let us know in our comments section
A letter sent to the council from Fitzgerald indicates warns that there “was never” any intention to act on the previously approved plans alone, saying there is “simply no current market interest” for it.
You can see the plans here.
Conversation