The first images of a £2million project to bring life back to one of Aberdeen’s most historic squares have been released today - showing how a long-vacant granite landmark will be restored to residential use.
Award-winning developers City Restoration Project, the team behind some of Aberdeen’s most celebrated historic building restorations, is proposing to convert 6 Golden Square into 11 high-quality apartments, including a roof-level penthouse with a green roof and communal roof garden.
The B listed property, which has lain empty since 2014, was originally built in 1821 as a townhouse before being converted into offices in the 20th century.
The new plans will return it to its original purpose, helping to repopulate the city centre while preserving the character of one of Aberdeen’s most architecturally significant civic spaces.
The development will see the granite townhouse frontage carefully restored, a traditional basement lightwell reinstated to match neighbouring properties, and the 1960s rear extension adapted to create modern apartments.
A discreet roof-level apartment with private roof terrace has been designed to sit back behind the chimney line, clad in dark zinc to blend into the surrounding roofscape. It will provide panoramic city views, when complete.
This latest project follows City Restoration Project’s acclaimed redevelopment of 1, 2 & 3 Bon Accord Crescent; three 200-year-old townhouses by the “Architect of Aberdeen” Archibald Simpson, which had spent decades as tired office space.
Now restored to their original splendour, they have been reimagined as eleven luxury apartments, including a penthouse overlooking Bon Accord Terrace Gardens, reclaiming the Crescent’s status as one of Aberdeen’s most exclusive addresses.
The company, run by brothers Dean and Darren Gowans, now hopes to deliver a similar transformation at Golden Square.
Dean Gowans said: “Golden Square represents another important milestone for City Restoration Project. Our vision is to honour Aberdeen’s unique architectural character while breathing new life into buildings that deserve to be lived in and appreciated.
“With Bon Accord Crescent now fully occupied and warmly received, our ambition is to see Golden Square thrive again. By returning No.6 to its original purpose, we can help bring people back into the heart of Aberdeen and secure the future of a beautiful building.”
Each buyer at Golden Square will be invited to shape their apartment with the developers, co-designing spaces and finishes so that every home feels truly personal.
Darren Gowans added: “We’ve learned that no two residents are the same, we take real pride in working closely with buyers to shape homes around the way they live. That collaboration ensures every residence is personal and that every home tells its own story.”
City Restoration Project has already invested several million pounds in Aberdeen city centre and was recognised at the Northern Star Business Awards, run by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, for its outstanding contribution to the regeneration of the city.
Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “City Restoration Project has already shown what can be achieved when a passion for our city’s heritage is combined with a clear vision for its future.
Darren Gowans (left) and Dean Gowans (right) on site at Golden Square
“The company’s track record speaks for itself; from Bon Accord Crescent to Union Street, they have taken forgotten buildings and turned them into places people are proud to call home.
“We warmly welcome their continued investment in Golden Square, which will not only restore another historic building but also bring new energy into the heart of Aberdeen.”
For more information about 6 Golden Square, visit https://www.goldensquare.apartments/