Building Briefs – May 15th

Maxim Office Park has announced UK specialist steel plate distributor, processor and trader Brown McFarlane as its latest occupier.

Brown McFarlane has taken a total of 1,410 sq ft on the second floor of the Maxim 3 building on a five-year lease at a rental of £14.50 per sq ft.

Previously based at Panorama Business Village in the east end of Glasgow, the company plans to use its new premises at Maxim to grow its Scottish services and continue its international relations. Following fit out works in July, staff are expected to occupy the space in August.

Founded in 1889, Brown McFarlane offers one of the largest selections of steel products and services in the industry and has recently invested over £2 million on state of the art equipment. Its products are used in energy, mining and quarrying, offshore and general engineering applications.

CBRE and Ryden represented Maxim Office Park, whilst Brown McFarlane was represented by Dentons UK LLP.

Work on new council housing development begins in Blantyre

South Lanarkshire Council has broken ground on a new housing development in Blantyre.

Built on the site of the former St Blane’s Primary School, the development will see 20 properties of two-, three- and four-bedroom semi-detached family homes and one- and two-bedroom cottage flats.

The homes are due to be completed and handed over by February 2019.

Councillor Josh Wilson, South Lanarkshire Council’s chair of housing and technical resources, carried out the traditional cutting of the first sod and revealed that the development will also see a significant milestone achieved.

Designed by Smith Scott Mullen Architects, the homes will be built by Glasgow company Cruden Building and Renewals Ltd.

Construction starts on £7.66m Dalry sheltered housing complex

Construction work is getting underway on a new £7.66 million sheltered housing complex in Dalry.

Provost Ian Clarkson officially marked the beginning of the construction phase of the development at a special ground-breaking ceremony held last week.

The first phase of the redevelopment of Watt Court will create 22 new homes within a sheltered housing complex, eight amenity bungalows and a Local Housing Office.

The properties will be served by a biomass district heating system shared with Dalry Primary School. The heating system is powered from renewable, sustainably sourced biomass and will lower our carbon emissions as well as providing lower energy bills for our tenants

The second phase of the project will see an additional 15 homes built to the rear of the site, which will provide supported accommodation.

The redevelopment of Watt Court sheltered housing has been designed specifically to meet the needs of the older population in North Ayrshire.

The works will be phased to allow the residents of the existing sheltered housing complex to remain in their current homes until their new properties are complete.

It is hoped that the first phase of the project, which is being delivered by Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited, will be completed by Autumn 2019 with the second phase of the project delivered by Spring 2020.

£20m Perth City Hall revamp plans to go on display

Residents are being invited to view plans for the future £20 million redevelopment of Perth City Hall.

Proposals to transform the building into a new visual arts attraction will go on display between 11am – 7pm in the Civic Hall at 2 High Street on Thursday, 17 May.

At the event, representatives from the applicant and design team will be on hand to explain the proposals and answer any questions.

Designed by architects Mecanoo, features include creating a new 1,500m² flexible exhibition hall that can accommodate displays of differing content and scale. Wider plans include a 150m² learning suite, 250m² collections handling area and up to 275m² of commercial visitor facilities including a café and retail area.

Works will be carried out by BAM and completion is scheduled for spring next year.

Aberdeen sports centre set for £250,000 makeover​

A £250,000 renovation project at an Aberdeen sports centre has been given the green light.

Sport Aberdeen has been given the go-ahead by Aberdeen City Council to carry out the transformation of Sheddocksley Sports Centre.

The plans show the existing squash courts will be amended to become a dedicated exercise studio, while it is expected the fitness gym will double in floor space.

It is understood the sport centre will close later this month, and will be open and fully operational in July.

Affordable Kirkhill homes handed over to Albyn Housing Society

Albyn Housing Society has taken handover of a new phase of affordable homes in Kirkhill, delivering fresh progress on its commitment to bring 750 new homes to the Highlands by 2020.

The new development comprises a total of 10 modern homes including eight available for social rent with Albyn Housing Society and two available through the Low Cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) scheme.

Representing a total investment of £1.1 million including £680,000 support from the Scottish Government, construction commenced at the site in May 2017 with Fraser & Grant Homes Ltd appointed as developer.

Work on first phase of £8m Denny town centre refurb complete

Work on the first phase of an £8 million town centre redevelopment project in Denny, Falkirk is now complete.

Designed jointly with the community, the scheme included the creation of a new bright and modernised library with a dedicated community space, 10 custom-designed shop units for independent and well-known brands, free public Wi-Fi and a bigger car-park with dedicated taxi stances.

Elsewhere, five public artworks are also being installed around a new town square to celebrate local history and landmarks, including sculptures, River-Carron inspired artwork and projections which light up in the evening.

An opening event for local families and businesses was held over the weekend to celebrate the completion of the project.

More than £900,000 available to regenerate Aberdeen city centre historic streetscape

Extra sparkle is to be added to the Granite City after Aberdeen was today awarded £901,100 for heritage-led regeneration projects in the heart of the city.

The funding is being released through the City Heritage Trust programme, administered by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

In partnership with HES, and working collaboratively with Aberdeen City Council other groups, the Aberdeen City Heritage Trust will deliver this funding through their own programmes to eligible local projects.

The aim is to regenerate historic buildings and city precincts, provide training opportunities, create jobs, and lever additional funding from other sources.

Grant funding will be made available to property owners to support improvements to granite buildings in areas like Bridge Street, Market Street and King Street, supporting work already under way through the City Centre Masterplan.

Education and community heritage projects could also benefit. Full details of the support are under development.

Plans submitted for new restaurant in Pollokshields

Plans have been submitted to turn an empty retail unit into a restaurant in Pollokshields.

City planners have been asked to given the proposal on Maxwell Road the green light.

It is hoped that the retail unit on the corner of Maxwell Road and Keir Street can be turned into a ‘quality’ restaurant and take-away.

A decision on the plans is expected in June.