Aberdeen's iconic former John Lewis building is being sold off.

Commercial agent Savills has been instructed to find a buyer on behalf of the John Lewis Partnership (JLP), which despite a well-supported campaign to save it, closed the George Street store last August.

No price has been placed on the building and 1.41acre site, with Savills instead inviting offers for the "unique" retail or development opportunity.

The building is currently home to a Covid-19 vaccination centre which will continue to operate throughout the sale process.

Dan Smith, head of office in Aberdeen for Savills, said the "substantial and highly prominent building" had a "wealth of potential".

He added: "Its scale and significant profile could be considered suitable for a range of alternative uses, subject to the usual planning consents."

Background

The former Norco House was built in 1966-70 for the (now-defunct) Northern Co-operative Society. The building was taken over by John Lewis and converted in 1987 when the spire food hall was demolished.

The building, with its rippling, mound-like profile, was extremely novel for its time, and intended as a Modernist showpiece.

Upon its opening at the beginning of October 1989, John Lewis Aberdeen became the Partnership’s most northerly store ahead of the Edinburgh store.

The building is confined to the surviving two ribbed concrete and glazed elevations which form a striking Brutalist design.

The property extends to around 200,000 sq.ft and is arranged over 4 floors with a rooftop carpark and a pedestrian and vehicular access bridge linking the building direct to the Bon Accord Centre.

Click here to view the sale details.

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