Aberdeen City Council is advancing plans for the demolition of the former police headquarters on Queen Street, a move that precedes the much-anticipated £17 million transformation of the area into a new urban park. This decision comes despite the broader Queen Street revamp being temporarily shelved due to unforeseen repair work required at the historic Marischal College East.
The seven-storey office building, along with its adjoining two and three-story structures and a single-storey site, has stood vacant since Police Scotland relocated its operations in 2021 and 2022, centralising staff at Marischal College and Woodhill House.
Built in the early 1970s, the former Grampian Police headquarters was deemed “no longer fit for purpose” due to “accessibility limitations, very poor energy efficiency, high maintenance costs” and its inability to provide “the best working environment for our staff,” as stated by North East Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen, at the time of the police relocation.
Planning documents lodged with the city council underscore the rationale for demolition, asserting: “It is considered that the buildings in question do not make a positive contribution to the character of the Conservation Area and are of limited townscape value.”
The documents further contend that “the demolition of these buildings/structures and the future redevelopment of the site would serve to enhance the character and appearance of this part of the Conservation Area and the setting of the key Listed Buildings and other heritage assets within the immediate vicinity. Furthermore, the proposed demolition works would secure long-term outcomes of public and economic benefit.”
Market feedback has also indicated a strong preference among developers for a cleared site rather than the refurbishment of the existing, asbestos-filled structure. This is attributed to significant holding costs and the greater investment value and demand associated with new-build developments. The internal strip-out, including asbestos removal, is anticipated to conclude by the end of 2024, with the full demolition expected to be a careful and drawn-out process due to the building’s proximity to other structures, including the court buildings.
The proposed demolition forms a crucial precursor to the wider Queen Street regeneration, a project within the Aberdeen City Centre and Beachfront Masterplan – a multi-million-pound initiative aimed at revitalising the city. The £17 million Queen Street scheme, spanning the area between Broad Street and King Street, envisions an urban park complete with new seating, performance spaces, and enhanced greenery. This vision represents a shift from earlier proposals for residential and retail developments, aligning with a pledge by the SNP group in the 2022 council elections to create an urban park.
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However, the park’s construction was put on hold last year. The delay stems from major, “unforeseen” repair works required at Marischal College East, specifically the Mitchell Tower, which is owned by the University of Aberdeen.
This A-listed building has suffered water damage affecting flooring, stonework, and timber, partly due to clogged gutters. Aberdeen City Council indicated that construction access for these repairs through Queen Street would compromise the urban park project, making it “most efficient” to deliver the college repairs first.
These “complex restoration works” were expected to take approximately 11-12 months, commencing in spring. While demolition of the former police HQ is expected to begin this year, the timeline for the Queen Street urban park remains contingent on the progress of the Marischal College repairs.
