As the festive break comes to an end, construction work is resuming across three major sites in Aberdeen city centre, with the new market, Union Street Central, and beachfront set to undergo major changes in 2025.
The city council is optimistic about the ongoing developments, which they say will revitalise the heart of Aberdeen and enhance its appeal to both residents and visitors.
Construction resumed in January with work on the new market entrance at the former BHS store site continuing.
Groundwork for the new granite carriageway along the Central portion of Union Street Central has also commenced, alongside preparations for the demolition of the beach leisure centre.
On Union Street, the setting up of the new concrete foundation to support the granite carriageway remains in progress at the eastern end of the work zone near Attic and Aberdeen Vinyl Records. Excavation of a 30m trench at the western end of the site to uncover any unknown services is also ongoing.
To facilitate these operations, the site office and welfare units have been moved to the western end of the area, across from Union Terrace Gardens. Access for authorised vehicles and deliveries to local businesses will continue as usual, flowing one way from west to east along Union Street Central.
Simultaneously, at the Aberdeen Market site located at Market Street and Hadden Street, the assembly of the steel framework within the former British Home Stores building has commenced.
In the main market structure, progress is being made on new service, lift, and escalator pits, as well as preparations for in-situ concrete walls. Concrete repairs and remedial work on existing walls and slabs are steadily advancing. The construction of in-situ concrete walls is scheduled to proceed over the next seven months.
The construction timeline indicates that work on the new market is expected to be completed by 2027, while the streetscape renovations are slated for completion in autumn 2025. Key tasks remaining include finalising the entrance renovations for the market and completing the infrastructure improvements along Union Street.
Despite some challenges faced by local businesses during this period of disruption, including concerns about safety and accessibility, many stakeholders remain hopeful about the long-term benefits of these projects. The city council has said they are committed to ensuring that businesses can operate during construction while enhancing the overall urban environment.
Council co-leader Christian Allard has already stated that “businesses understand that it is worth it to make sure we have a fantastic city centre at the end of it.”
He has further emphasised: “The Council is committed to working with city centre businesses and others to drive up occupancy levels on Union Street and make our city centre an even better place to visit, work, shop, live, invest and do business.”
In tandem with Union Street, work is also ongoing at the beach, where efforts have begun to separate the former beach leisure centre from the adjacent Beach Ballroom in anticipation of the leisure centre’s demolition later this year.
As part of this initiative, a new temporary parking area will be established behind the existing ice arena, which will remain fully operational throughout the process.
Additionally, work is progressing on the construction of new pathways and the enhancement of the current path network on the Broadhill.
