The vacant category B listed building on Barrack Street, which was the former Robertson’s furniture store, operated on the site between 1929 and 2011, when the company went into administration.

The former store comprises a four-storey art deco style B-listed building constructed c.1935, prior to which it was the Willison United Free Church.

The development site, measuring just over 0.5 acres in area, already boasts planning permission for a 215-bed hotel and is within easy walking distance of Dundee’s main amenities and attractions. The hotel blocks are in two parts – one for 115 beds over six storeys and the other for 100 beds also over six storeys. There is also additional licensed restaurant space on the ground floor.

Offers are now being invited for the potential delivery of development, with this being an ideal location for purpose-built student accommodation, subject to planning, given the considerable demand for student housing in Dundee.

Despite being a campus city, with two universities and two colleges, the supply of student beds has been lagging behind other university cities in the UK; commercial property company CBRE has for example estimated a shortfall of c. 3,000 beds i.e. full-time students not covered by a University accommodation guarantee. 

Will Scarlett, of Scarlett Land and Development, which is marketing the site, said: “This is a superb opportunity for an exceptional development in Dundee city centre which is very well connected.

“Clearly given strong demand for student accommodation and given its location in close proximity to universities and colleges, this is an ideal opportunity for a student housing developer to progress such a scheme.”

The site is being marketed by Scarlett Land and Development, with a closing date of September 16 and a strong preference for bids that are not conditional on planning.