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Planning Matters 3
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City Centre, Union St, West End, Rosemount, Ferryhill
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His Majesty's Theatre
Plans for an ultra-modern glass-and-granite extension to the Edwardian HMT, dating from 1906, have attracted considerable criticism.
The proposed 5-storey extension is to be built over the staff car park on the east side of the existing building and descends to the (ground) level of the car park below. It will accomodate a new restaurant, rehearsal facilities, bars, a coffee shop and a new box office.
We are glad to see that the ornate porch is to be extended to merge into the new extension.
But, otherwise, what is proposed is a banal glass-fronted extension of two storeys above ground level, three storeys below, having nothing in common with the existing building - one of the best of the Frank Matcham theatres - and "crowned" by a grotesque roof form having more in common with the 1951 Festival of Britain than anything in the centre of Aberdeen before or since.
It is accepted that the east side of the Theatre was originally intended to be covered over by some other building, and it is unlikely that the original Edwardian Baroque style of the Theatre can nowadays be reproduced in style, size or materials; but, before any application is made for planning permission, the Society would like to see the extension designed so as to complement, and not conflict with, the existing Category A Listed Building.
This could be achieved by having the "porch" extension returned at its east end and the main extension retired back one bay from the main facade.
It should not be beyond the wit of a competent architect to achieve the required accomodation at ground floor and beneath, without needing to rise two storeys and in so doing conflict with the existing Theatre and obscure and break the distant view to the Old Infirmary and to Broadford's "Bastille" beyond.
The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (see "Links") commented: "The facade is uninspiring and banal and is less than should be expected of this important city centre site. The proposal cannot be regarded as 'cutting edge' architecture".
Historic Scotland (see "Links") commented: "The proposed design is not worthy of the setting ... the glass box aesthetic is simply not strong enough and the visual links with the theatre are very tenuous".
30th August 2002
Denburn / Woolmanhill Planning Brief
The area covered by the Brief is the ground covered by the Woolmanhill Hospital buildings by Simpson & Kelly and the site of the Denburn Car Park and Clinic. The scheme outlined in the Brief includes retention of all the Listed hospital buildings and their conversion to residential/commercial use. The present Car Park and Health Centre are to be demolished and a new multi-storey car park built.
"A multi-use scheme incorporating a stand-alone multi-storey car park, commercial and residential uses is considered the best solution."
Suggested uses are ground floor retail premises and cafes & restaurants, office & business space and a city-centre hotel supporting the surrounding uses. Pubs, clubs and fast-food outlets will not be created. Residential uses are likely to be mainly in the form of flats, from one-bedroom to penthouse and duplex apartments, and townhouses with gardens.
The site would revert to its pre-car park days, with, possibly, terraces reflecting the architectural scale of the surrounding housing. There would be landscaping of the hospital grounds.
We have some reservations regarding the provision of a replacement for the present Health Centre, and as regards the desirability or necessity of another hotel, more flats and additional retail development in this part of the city centre. But our reservation concerning new flats does not extend to the conversion of the Listed hospital buildings, of which we broadly approve.
23rd Jan. 2004
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