The A-listed building owned by local businessman Mike Watson is located in a prominent spot on the corner of Union Street and Union Terrace.

After a failed bid to convert the offices on the upper levels in 2021, Mr Watson has now re-submitted scaled-down proposals. His architects say the central location puts it “in the middle of a focused effort to revitalise the city centre of Aberdeen”.

With newer office space available in Aberdeen’s city centre, the upper floors have “remained vacant for some time”, and “prove to be no longer fit for purpose”.

Tinto architects added: “During this time, the property has not been heated and subject to limited maintenance, resulting in it starting to show some signs of deterioration.”

Aberdeen City Council’s masterplan to reinvigorate the city centre has a key focus on getting more people to live in the centre.  Union Terrace could become a lively site of residential activity in the future, with student accommodation planned for the former TSB building and permission granted for Denburn House to become flats.

The Monkey House flats would comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom properties, the Press and Journal reports. 

Tinto added: “It is clear there is a fantastic opportunity to deliver a high-quality series of proposals that will help meet the demands of 21st-century Aberdeen. Through considerable investigation and research, demand for residential properties within the city centre has been identified.

“This position, both aesthetically and geographically within the city, make it a prime opportunity for a considered residential development on the upper floors.”