Council puts Bon Accord Baths on the market
17/03/10
Aberdeen City Council is presenting the former Bon Accord Baths complex to the market.
The council aims to identify a future viable and economic use for the property.
The Justice Mill Lane building, which is renowned for its art deco features, closed on 31 March 2008. A planning brief has since been developed to give prospective purchasers guidance on use and the retention of key features of the property.
The council has appointed independent commercial property consultants Ryden to handle the sale of the B-listed building, which was designed by Alexander McRobbie of the City Architects Department and built in 1937.
Gordon McIntosh, the council's director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, said: "Exposing the site to the market gives others the opportunity to identify a viable future for the building which will bring it back into economic use.
"We are looking for positive and innovative ideas on how this can best be done. We are open to ideas and are flexible in how we speak to people about them."
Andrew Smith, chartered surveyor at Ryden added: "We are delighted to present to the market on behalf of Aberdeen City Council, the opportunity to purchase the Bon Accord Baths.
"The property has been vacant since early 2005 and presents a unique opportunity for the acquisition of an historical building within the heart of Aberdeen City centre.
"Justice Mill Lane is undergoing considerable redevelopment at present with the construction of two hotels, 125,000 sq ft of offices and underground public parking. As such, the Bon Accord Baths is the last property on the south side of Justice Mill Lane with the potential for redevelopment, subject to planning permission."
The two storey building extends to circa 50,000 sq ft and sits on a site of 0.85 acres. It includes: reception areas; gymnasium; weight training room; aerobics studio; bathing/changing facilities; four treatment rooms/offices in the link block leading to the pool viewing gallery; a mezzanine floor with two small offices and storage space; Turkish baths, saunas, steam rooms, plunge pool, relaxation lounge, changing facilities and toilets, treatment rooms, stores, training room; viewing gallery; café; club room; staff room; plant areas; laundry; and workshop.
The planning brief, also prepared for the council by Ryden, gives interested parties guidance about the potential uses of the building and states: "It is important that the intrinsic character of the building is retained and enhanced as part of any potential use or conversion.
The Bon Accord Baths are a unique example of art-deco architecture, with very few other examples of swimming pools from that era remaining in Scotland. The underwater lighting along the length of the pool is believed to have been one of the early examples of such lighting which added to the glamour of the pool itself.
"One aspect that is of importance is trying to retain the existing character, particularly of the main pool hall. The preference from a conservation perspective is to maintain the hall as one large space."
Ryden suggests in the planning brief that the venue could potentially be used in the future as a: concert venue; gallery space; conference centre; theatrical venue; shopping venue; or dining area.
Consideration has also been given to the development of the site for various other commercial uses, as well as the potential for a residential development scheme.