Plans revealed for new Aberdeen ‘Queen’s Square’ residential quarter

Plans have been unveiled for the creation of a new residential quarter in Aberdeen which will be known as Queen’s Square.

The venture, proposed by independent consultants BDP, contains 49 projects, ranging from new housing to lighting up key buildings at night and pedestrianising parts of Union Street.

A major proposal involves the demolition of the police headquarters at Queen Street as part of a transformation of the area into the new Queen’s Square.

This includes the refurbishment of Marischal College’s eastern annexe and Greyfriars John Knox Church.

There would also be 330 apartments as well as cafes and shops.

According to the plans, the vision for ‘Queen’s Square’ is one of “cafes and shops spilling out on to pedestrian-friendly public streets and public space”.

There will also be a strong emphasis on the arts involving the nearby Lemon Tree and Aberdeen Arts Centre.

The brief for Queen’s Square said: “Together with Marischal College, the Lemon Tree and the Arts Centre, the proposed mix of uses forms a vibrant urban quarter that is active through the day and into the evening.

“It becomes a pleasant spot for city workers to take time out during the day, for culture vultures to extend their visit to the Lemon Tree or Arts Centre and for residents to enjoy convenient access to the city centre’s employment and leisure opportunities.”

It continued: “The council is interested in consolidating public service provision in the vacant eastern annexe of Marischal College.

Finance convener Willie Young speaking as he laid out the background to the construction of Queen’s Square said that implementing Aberdeen’s city centre masterplan, of which Queen’s Square could form a part and which was unanimously backed by councilors on Friday, was “the most important thing” in preparing for the future.