Cromarty House: Plans to turn vacant Aberdeen Harbour office block into 40 flats

By Ben Hendry

November 22 2022, 5:00 pm

Cromarty House could soon be brought back to life as a block of 40 flats. Image: Ben Hendry/DCT Media

An Aberdeen office complex could be turned into flats just months after being vacated by an energy firm.

The five-storey Cromarty House block by the harbour was sold this summer, following risk management company DNV’s move to Dyce.

It was snapped up for a “bargain” guide price between £225,000-£250,000 before going to auction.

Now new owners, Aberdeen-based Lionstone Investment Holdings, want to turn it into 40 apartments.

Cromarty House is next to The Key health cafe on Regent Quay, which could expect a boost to business if the flat plans are approved. Image: Ben Hendry/ DCT Media

Ahead of the sale of the 67-72 Regent Quay building in August, Cromarty House was marketed by Knight Frank.

The property firm initially valued it at £395,000 excluding VAT.

A sign on the quayside building says that property agents were willing to listen to “all enquiries” to secure its sale. Image: Ben Hendry/DCT Media

The building – totalling 23,539sq ft – has been empty for about seven months.

And according to the sales pitch of auctioneer Acuitus, it “offered an opportunity to redevelop or repurpose subject to planning”.

How will Cromarty House change if plans are approved?

The ground floor currently has a large board room, reception, open plan office, canteen and three smaller offices.

Under the plans, the space would be converted into seven one-bedroom flats, and one with two bedrooms.

There is space for some parking to the back of the building, and other car parks nearby such as one at James Street. Prior to auction, the complex was described as offering 51 spaces. Image: Ben Hendry?DCT Media

The first, second and third floors would each have a pair of two-bedroom flats and six with one room.

The fourth floor would have seven with one-bedroom, and a single two-bedroom apartment.

And there would be space for 20 bicycles to be stored in the basement.

This aerial image shows the parking available nearby. Image: Google Maps

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Cromarty House was home to offshore firm for 25 years

Neighbouring occupiers include Trubhor Engineering and Seadyn, together with a mix of office, workshop and cafe businesses.

The potential new lease of life comes after offshore firm DNV left the building.

The certification and technical advisory firm had been based in Cromarty House since 1997, but moved to Aberdeen International Business Park in Dyce in April.

Director of DNV Hari Vamadevan at the company’s old portside offices in 2005. Image: Kami Thomson/DCT Media

Cromarty House isn’t the only major office block in Aberdeen in line for renovation as a block of flats.

The council is currently considering plans for Ruby House, and the transformation of Denburn House has been approved.

Applicant Lionstone is also behind plans to turn old offices on Victoria Street into four flats, as detailed this summer in our Planning Ahead round-up.

You can see the Cromarty House plans here.

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