A pair of 200-year-old townhouses designed by the ‘Architect of Aberdeen’ Archibald Simpson will soon welcome residents once again following a seven-figure investment.
After several decades as offices, 1 & 2 Bon Accord Crescent have been converted back to their original use by period property experts City Restoration Project.
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Now seven luxury apartments – including a top floor penthouse overlooking Bon Accord Terrace Gardens – the granite buildings have reclaimed their historic status as one of Aberdeen’s most exclusive addresses.
Designed by Simpson in 1823, the crescent is one of the architect’s most famous projects alongside city landmarks Marischal College, the Music Hall and Union Street itself.
City Restoration Project is an award-winning property development firm run by investors Dean and Darren Gowans. The brothers reimagine and revive historic buildings to create one-of-a-kind homes and have already invested several million pounds in Aberdeen city centre.
They have spent over a year transforming 1 & 2 Bon Accord Crescent, carefully honouring Simpson’s original vision of redefining city living.
The buildings have undergone a sympathetic modernisation and now combine classic details such as oversized period mouldings, ornate plaster and chevron-patterned oak floors with contemporary touches.
Prices range from £245,000 for the two-bedroom executive apartments, through to £390,000 for the three-bedroom penthouse which spans both buildings.
Commenting on the launch of the project, Dean and Darren Gowans said: “Archibald Simpson’s masterpiece at Bon Accord Crescent devised a new concept of living for Aberdeen at the time, creating a fine serene sweeping street which overlook generous communal gardens.
“Throughout this project we have sought to honour Simpson’s talent and creative vision by re-imagining his original triumph and restoring the site to residential homes fit for the next 200 years.”
Four of the seven properties have already been sold off-plan, leaving just three properties available to purchase.
City Restoration Project is spearheading local efforts to get more people living on and around Union Street to support the city’s regeneration.
Last year the brothers won a Northern Star Business Award – named after Archibald Simpson – in recognition of their “outstanding contribution” towards the regeneration of Aberdeen city centre.
The Bon Accord Crescent restoration has been welcomed by leading business and civic figures, who were given a private tour of the properties earlier this week.
Adrian Watson, chief executive at Aberdeen Inspired, the city’s business improvement district, said: “Aberdeen Inspired has long said one of the most important routes to revitalising our city centre is to have more people living here.
“Projects such as this not only bring venerable and important buildings back to life but also help reinvigorate the heart of Aberdeen as place to not only work and visit, but also to live. It is a trend we welcome and would encourage.”
Russell Borthwick, chief executive at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce said: “The future prosperity of Aberdeen city centre relies heavily on making it a brilliant place to live.
“City Restoration Project has an amazing track record of taking forgotten buildings in our city and transforming them into breathtaking homes befitting any major city. They are seizing the opportunities of a changing city centre and we are lucky to have them reimagining some of our most treasured buildings.”
To learn more about 1 & 2 Bon Accord Crescent, or to arrange a viewing of one of the properties, contact selling agents Aberdein Considine or visit bonaccordcrescent.co.uk
