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City centre office block to be transformed into new axe throwing and escape room venue

Each lane at Game of Throwing will be fully enclosed and instructors will be on hand to teach visitors how to throw an axe. Image: Game of Throwing Date
Each lane at Game of Throwing will be fully enclosed and instructors will be on hand to teach visitors how to throw an axe. Image: Game of Throwing Date

A former NHS Grampian office in Aberdeen will be transformed into a new axe-throwing and escape room venue.

The site at 4 Windmill Brae has been lying empty for at least three years.

Plans to transform the vacant office space were unveiled earlier this year.

The building will become the new home to both Escape and Game of Throwing, providing a mix of competitive indoor entertainment options.

The new axe-throwing venue and escape rooms will be created in this building on Windmill Brae. Image: Google Street View

Three escape rooms and eight axe-throwing lanes will be included in the development and it is expected to create up to 20 new jobs.

Scroll back and forth to see the proposed changes:

New addition to city’s growing social scene

The new Aberdeen venue is the latest to pick up on the trend of ‘competitive socialisation’.

It will join the recently opened 3 Mad Hatters bar on Justice Mill Lane which has more than 40 arcade games, karaoke rooms and Scotland’s largest ball pit.

Work is also currently underway to convert the former Espionage nightclub on Union Street into a new arcade bar.

Arcade Bar and Games will combine cocktails, beer and retro games and is expected to open its doors early next year.

And a “molecular cocktail experience” could be found just across the road if plans for a new bar on Windmill Brae are given the go-ahead.

New venue to boost Aberdeen’s economy

Daniel Hill, founder of Escape and Game of Throwing, said he was “thrilled” his ambitious plans have received the council’s support.

“Aberdeen has long been on our target list,” he explained.

Daniel Hill, founder of Escape and Game of Throwing. Image: Daniel Hill
Daniel Hill, founder of Escape and Game of Throwing. Image: Daniel Hill

“Our investment in the city will boost the city economy by supporting local retailers and restaurants.

“This couldn’t be more vital at this time of economic uncertainty.

“As a Scottish company, we’re committed to revitalising our town and city centres and creating employment opportunities.

“We can’t wait to design the games and open our doors in Aberdeen.”

Site will attract customers to Aberdeen city centre

The new entertainment venue is expected to be open seven days a week.

To ensure the safety of guests no alcohol will be sold but visitors will be able to enjoy other refreshments and snacks.

Each lane at Game of Throwing will be fully enclosed and instructors will be on hand to teach guests how to throw the axes.

Eight axe-throwing lanes will be created under the new plans for Windmill Brae. Image: Game of Throwing

Meanwhile, those visiting the mysterious escape rooms will have an hour to solve a number of puzzles to successfully make their way out.

Council officers backed the plans saying it would help to attract customers to the city centre and would bring a vacant building back into use.

They also said the plan met the aims and vision of the city centre masterplan.

Aberdeen site to join locations around Scotland

Aberdeen will be Game of Throwing‘s third Scottish location joining those in Edinburgh and Stirling.

The axe-throwing firm was launched in 2021 after the Canadian trend grew in popularity across the UK.

Meanwhile, the Granite City will add to Escape’s other Scottish locations in the Cairngorms, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Livingston and Stirling.

Escape now has more than 200 rooms across the world which have been visited by more than 300,000 customers.

Its international escape rooms can be found in Portugal, France, Greece and Dubai.

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