Images released today by developer Patrizia show how the area will be transformed to provide a new pedestrian area and green civic space for public art installations and outdoor events, including markets and performances.

The design from Halliday Fraser Munro reveals how the new glass and granite building will complement the adjacent buildings and become a focal point for the surrounding streets, creating an attractive indoor and outdoor environment that captures the southerly aspect and shelter of the adjacent buildings.

The ground floors of the new building, facing Market Street, incorporate a business lounge with retail, café and exhibition space connected to the outdoor seating and meeting areas. Further retail, café opportunities are provided to both Hadden Street and the Green. An underground car park with 126 spaces (including electric car-charging spaces), dedicated cycle storage and shower facilities are also proposed.

The plans, which have been in development for three years, have been finalised following public consultation and extensive, constructive discussions between the developer and the council’s planning team.

Shaun Hose, director of Patrizia, said: “Working closely with Aberdeen City Council and a number of third party stakeholders, we have been evolving our plans for several months. The council’s masterplanning, design and conservation team have been integral to the discussions and there is a shared desire to see a vast improvement on the current building and the surrounding public realm that will breathe new life into this part of the city centre.

“We are satisfied that we now have a final design which fits within the City Centre Masterplan and takes account of all the feedback and will offer a highly transformative, new destination that will breathe new life into this part of the city centre.”

Since the collapse of BHS in 2016, Patrizia has been exploring plans for the site, which includes the Aberdeen Market building. This vision was to find a long-term, sustainable solution that enhances the vitality of the location, creating a vibrant place, both during the day and at night, with the right blend of more diverse retail, leisure, cultural and office uses that meet market demand.

The present market building has been deteriorating for some time both structurally and economically as shopping trends change and the retail experience requires wider and more varied offerings. The commercial units in the new building will add to the vitality of the Green and the Merchant Quarter with highly attractive streetscapes.

Aberdeen Inspired, the city centre business improvement district which represents the interest of over 900 businesses is backing the planning application.

Adrian Watson, Aberdeen Inspired’s chief executive, said: “This development fits well with the aspirations of the Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan and, if progressed, will be a real fillip for the heart of the city at a time when it is most needed.

“I think we all understand that we must get behind bold and ambitious projects of this nature which, in this case, offers the potential to regenerate a substantial area around Union Street, Market Street and The Green. The application has been discussed with many of our levy paying businesses and, to date, there has been overwhelming support for the proposals.”