A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to save Aberdeen’s iconic Westburn House which is currently in very poor condition and requires urgent work to save it from complete ruin, and restore it back to its former glory.
The Save Westburn House Action Group is a community of members brought together by Gavin Esslemont of Etiom who recognised that the building, designed by Archibald Simpson, was being neglected and left to decay, he identified that the potential waste of such a beautiful piece of Aberdeen’s history is an opportunity to become a hub for the local community while sympathetically restoring the architecture and buildings for future generations.
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Following significant planning and surveying by the Action Group which is one of the largest community run projects in Scotland, the crowdfunding campaign targets £300,000 in 60 days and aligns with phase one of the project to “Arrest the Decay”. The funding will be used for works to see the conservation and vital refurbishment of the external envelope of the building with both internal and external repairs.
Further investment from other funds for the second phase of restoration of the building have been agreed for work to “Restore and Renovate”.
The end result of the project will see Westburn House transform into a heritage and education centre and hub for community facilities, activities and events; with restaurant, meeting and exhibition space, a wedding venue
The official project launch fundraising event on 26th September in the RGU Sir Ian Wood Building will include an exhibition, keynote speakers, schools involvement, community opinions and the unveiling of the master plan. Gavin Esslemont, Chairman of Save Westburn House Action Group said “I’m overwhelmed by the passion and contribution of the Aberdeen community to save Westburn House, we’ve been inundated by offers of support from individuals and businesses and it will be great to turn some of that support into invaluable funds and ensure that Westburn House is saved before it is too late”.
