Aberdeen’s historic Commerce House, formerly the Commerce Street School, is set to be transformed into a private GP practice following the recent approval of planning permission by Aberdeen City Council. The development, spearheaded by Aberdeen-based property developer Cromdale, marks a significant repurposing of the distinguished granite building located near Aberdeen harbour.
International Workplace Group (IWG), a global provider of flexible workspaces established in 1989, will operate the new facility under its “Humanly” health brand. This venture will represent IWG’s inaugural “Humanly” site in Scotland, following the brand’s UK debut in Kent earlier this year. The “Humanly” concept aims to provide flexible, clinical-style spaces for medical, therapy, wellness, and fitness professionals.
Commerce Street School was the first new school completed by Aberdeen School Board and was opened on 13 March 1876. The school closed in 1925 and the pupils were transferred to Hanover Street School. Thereafter the Commerce Street School buildings were used as the infant department of Hanover Street School. The building was later converted into office spaces. Its current layout, comprising open-plan and individual offices, meeting rooms, and a basement gym, will be reconfigured into dedicated medical, therapy, wellness, and fitness areas. This will include consultation rooms, therapy suites, and physiotherapy facilities.
In its planning application, Cromdale stated: “The suites will enable healthcare practitioners such as GPs, paediatricians, women’s health specialists, and diagnostic professionals to deliver primary and preventive care efficiently.”
One local resident has formally objected to the development, with concerns focused on the existing provision of medical practices in the vicinity and potential parking difficulties at what he described as “a very busy junction.”
In Case You Missed it:
However, council planners ultimately granted permission, expressing their approval for the new use of the vacant building. They deemed the change of use “entirely appropriate” and noted that it “respects the residential form and function of nearby residential and commercial properties.”
Addressing the objection regarding an over-concentration of medical facilities, planners clarified: “The proposal would not result in an over concentration of such uses, as there are no nearby similar uses. Frederick Street and Links Medical Practice being public operations, rather than the private practice as proposed.” Frederick Street provides community health services, while Links Medical Practice operates as an NHS GP practice. Council officials also concluded that the proposed “acceptable level of parking” could be supplemented by surrounding area capacity if needed.
