Six-figure renovation turns Aberdeen church tower into luxury penthouse

The three-bedroom tower house - which is 200 years old - now has a gourmet kitchen and sauna after nearly two years of work.

By Bailey Moreton

January 9 2024, 7:30 pm

This 200-year-old Aberdeen church tower has been turned into a luxury penthouse. Image: Duo Lettings/Zoopla

A 200-year-old Aberdeen church tower has been transformed into a luxury penthouse apartment after nearly two years of renovations.

The three-bedroom house tower now has a gourmet kitchen, sauna and rooftop terrace whilst retaining original features like its bell tower.

The old church tower is around 200-years-old. Image: Duo Lettings/Zoopla

It took nearly two years and hundreds of thousands of pounds, but now the property within Melville Court at Rose Street is ready to rent.

Aberdeen church tower — The apartment now has a gourmet kitchen. Image: Duo Lettings/Zoopla

“Mammoth” renovation job wasn’t the original plan for owners

Nicola Hartland, who is originally from Aberdeen, was one of those behind the “mammoth project”.

The businesswoman grew up in Aberdeen but moved to London ten years ago to work with technology companies.

The property retains its bell tower and rooftop terrace. Image: Duo Lettings/Zoopla

She was initially looking for a one or two-bedroom flat so she had somewhere to stay when she was visiting friends.

She partnered up with another Aberdonian, Lowell Forsyth, who went to school opposite the church tower at Aberdeen Grammar School.

When the church tower came onto their radar, they jumped at the opportunity.

One of the impressive ‘Tower’ bathrooms. Image: ABZ Tower

When she saw it, Nicola Hartland said: “Oh my goodness, look at this. You couldn’t get any more opposite from what I was initially looking for.

“We decided to take on this mammoth project and decided this was something we needed to do as a business, as an investment, as a team.”

The property now has three bedrooms. Image: Duo Lettings/Zoopla

Aberdeen church tower required extensive work

Nicola Hartland said the house required transformative work after it had been used as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) by students, requiring rewiring among other extensive work.

Despite this a number of developers were interested in the property.

The owners have gone out their way to retain original features. Image: ABZTower

The born-and-raised Aberdonian said an important aspect of sealing the deal with the previous owner was committing to preserving the building’s aesthetic and not splitting it up into multiple apartments.

She said: “It was a lot of work, everyone thought we were completely mad when we bought the place. But we had that vision.”