Building Briefs – July 15th

• CALA launches first homes in ‘east wing’ at The Crescent

The Crescent is a luxury collection of 84 innovative apartments, duplexes and penthouses, situated within the city’s iconic 18 acre Donaldson’s estate, within Edinburgh’s celebrated UNESCO World Heritage site.

The release of homes in its second “half” comes as the developer has now sold 88% of The Crescent’s “west wing”, named as such due to the break between the two halves, purposely designed by renowned architect Richard Murphy OBE to respect and embrace the chapel of the original 1800’s Playfair building.

One of The Crescent’s most unique features is its complex “interlocking” storey structure, which allows homes to sit on multiple levels. As a result, most homes feature vast ‘one and a half’ height living spaces with mezzanine “crow’s nest” studies.

Soaring windows slide all the way back, offering unparalleled views across the capital and transforming living spaces into spectacular places to enjoy a sunny day, in addition to the private gardens, terraces and balconies also available.

Designed by Richard Murphy OBE, the sweeping arc of glass-fronted homes is a modern interpretation of Georgian architecture and the famous crescents found within the nearby New Town of the celebrated era.

• Peterhead landmark transformation to begin next month

Long-awaited plans to breathe new life into a north-east town centre will get off the ground next month following a four-month delay.

Aberdeenshire Council signed a contract with Bridge of Don-based KW Contractors to transform the beleaguered Drummers Corner in the heart of Peterhead in February.

The work had been pencilled in to start on April 6.

• Historic Stirling bridge closed for safety revamp

Stirling’s historic Stevenson Bridge closed to traffic at the weekend to facilitate the installation of temporary vehicle barriers as an ‘essential safety measure’.

The bridge carries the A9 Causewayhead Road over the River Forth into Stirling.

The B-listed bridge, built between 1831 and 1832, is also known as the New Stirling Bridge, and was designed by renowned engineer Robert Stevenson.

Stirling Council said that increasing traffic volumes over the last 50 years has taken its toll on the bridge and refurbishment works are now required.

The bridge parapets now have to be fully replaced to “maintain the structural integrity and safety of the bridge”, and the council is planning to undertake the replacement of these as part of a major refurbishment project.

Temporary vehicle safety barriers are to be put in place on the bridge due to the current condition of the parapets, and these will remain in place until the refurbishment works are complete.

Barriers will run along the full roadside stretch of the bridge without restricting lane width or vehicle movement.

• Advance notice of temporary closures affecting two Sutherland roads

The Highland Council is advising that two temporary road closures in Sutherland will be in place from the start of August to enable SSE and Network Rail to carry out works.

Part of the U2437 Trentham Street in Helmsdale will be temporarily closed to all traffic from 8am on Monday 3 August until 10pm on Friday 4 September for SSE to carry out works. The section affected is from the Trentham Street junction with the U2447 Sutherland Street in a South Westerly direction for 140m to its junction with the C1115 Shore Street. 

The second temporary closure will be on a section of the U2247 Dalmore to  Acheilidh Road at Rogart which will be temporary closed to traffic from 00:30 on Monday 3 August until 23:30 pm Tuesday 4 August to allow Network Rail to carry out works. 

• Plans for Aberdeen swimming pool given the nod

Proposals to extend an Aberdeen swimming pool have been approved.

Northfield Pool is to be refurbished, and will include a 60-station gym, a multi-purpose studio, group and family changing facilities.

There will also be new flooring and re-tiling, the replacement of fixtures and fittings, new suspended ceilings as well as additional car and cycle parking.

It is expected to reopen in autumn 2021.

• Construction starts on new mental wellbeing centre in Aberdeen

Construction has started on a £3.2 million mental wellbeing centre in Aberdeen.

The new 20-bed residential facility, Abergeldie House, on Holburn Street, will support adults with a range of mental health illnesses on their journey to recovery.

City social care charity VSA, who will run the centre, made the announcement after the beginning of work was delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.