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• restore the street and walkway surfaces to provide acceptable surfaces for pedestrians and motorists;
• improve the environment of, and access in, the area for pedestrians living or working, visiting, or simply passing through the Green;
• more effectively manage the traffic in the area while retaining vehicular access for residents and businesses;
• increase the attractiveness of the area for residents, visitors and businesses by introducing trees and shrubs, new seating and improved street lighting;
• many footpaths have been widened in the Green, particularly on the routes which are expected to be most used by pedestrians.

Green THI board chairman John Stewart said: "The streetscape work, while a major part of the project, is only one aspect of this fantastic regeneration venture which will not only improve the aesthetics of this historically and culturally important area, but which will also improve its business prospects and the lot of residents living here. The completion and official opening of the streetscape works is by no means the end of the Green THI. There's an awful lot more good and exciting work to be done, in terms of repairing and preserving the striking architecture, focusing on key projects including the Tivoli Theatre and boosting the Green's profile through a range of educational and business projects."

An underlying principle of the design was to retain and re-use the existing granite material wherever possible, and using new granite only where necessary. In addition to the durable nature of the granite, the subtle shades of colour in the street patterns bring warmth of character to the streetscape. The total cost of the streetscape improvements is £2.83million, funded primarily by Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Enterprise. The Green THI provided grant funding of £525,000 towards the cost of the works.

Aberdeen City Council's director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Gordon McIntosh said: "The completion and opening of the Green THI streetscape marks the end of a significant and exciting chapter in the Green THI project. The changes in the area are quite remarkable – it looks much cleaner, brighter and more inviting than it has done for years. Combined with the other work being carried out in the area, I am certain that we will see a change of fortunes for the Green, with it once again becoming a thriving business and cultural hub in the heart of the city."

The Green THI is a partnership of four funders: The Heritage Lottery Fund, which established the THI programme throughout the UK; Aberdeen City Council; Historic Scotland; and Scottish Enterprise. The organisations have committed £2.8m in total over the years 2009 to 2014. Aberdeen City Heritage Trust is also a partner and the local business and residential communities are represented on The Green THI Project Board.

There is obvious potential for the development of a distinct city neighbourhood in the Green, characterised by cafes, restaurants, specialist shops, galleries and a revitalised Tivoli Theatre. The Merchant Quarter Association is working to create such an area, which provides a new vibrant, cultural, "grown-up" area for Aberdeen, centred around brasserie-style food and drink, lifestyle businesses and independent shopping, supplemented by a range of festivals; the creation of an artistic gateway with themed lighting, art, sculptures and street furniture.

Merchant Quarter Association chairman Jonathan Day said: "In the blink of an eye the THI conservation project has seen one of the city's most important historical areas change beyond recognition. The investment has not only rejuvenated the streetscape and seen the repair and restoration of some of the city's of most illuminating architecture, it has led to the creation of the Merchant Quarter and most importantly it has changed the connectivity between the city's main shopping centres and transformed the image of one Aberdeen's most important gateways. The THI vision and the creation of the Merchant Quarter will continue to enable and transform. I have absolutely no doubt that the ongoing programme of works will attract further private sector investment as businesses take advantage of the plethora of opportunities that now exist. This is a project with limitless potential that will elevate the status of the area and leave a lasting legacy."

The Green THI makes grants available to owners of eligible buildings to undertake high quality repair, restoration and refurbishment of buildings. Grant funding was also provided to Aberdeen City Council, as the statutory authority, to undertake improvements to the streetscape of the central area of the THI, while preserving and enhancing the historic street patterns and traditional granite setts and paving. The Green THI covers the area between Union Street and Guild Street, from Shiprow to Bridge Street, including the Adelphi, the Green, and Market Street.

A map illustrating the properties that are eligible for grant funding is available.

Aberdeen City Council has produced a series of technical guidance notes for undertaking repairs and conversions to buildings within conservation areas.

News 29/06/2010
Tivoli re-development closer to securing Green THI funding

One of Aberdeen's most important landmarks has taken a significant step forward in its bid to secure funding from the Green Township Heritage Initiative (THI). The Tivoli Theatre, which opened in December 1872 (34 years before His Majesty's Theatre opened) and finally closed its doors in 1997, by which time it was used only as a bingo hall. Since then the building has fallen into serious disrepair and been placed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland. The property was bought by local businessman Brian Hendry, chairman of the Tivoli Theatre Management Company, in July 2009, who pledged to repair the building and bring it back into use.

The Tivoli is a Priority Project of the Green THI with funding of up to £520,000 available to undertake comprehensive repairs to the external fabric including the roof, rainwater goods, masonry, windows and doors. The funding will also aim to reinstate much of the architectural detail on the Guild Street elevation that has been lost over the years, including restoring the original cast iron canopy on the Grade A listed building.

The Green THI is a five-year conservation-led programme aimed at restoring Aberdeen's historic Green to its former glory. It was set up to tackle the problems of rundown historic buildings and streetscape where longstanding economic and structural decline have undermined the character of the architecturally rich area.

Mr Hendry has met the condition of demonstrating a realistic prospect of a viable re-use of the building, which means his funding bid has taken a significant step forward. He proposes to restore the interior and bring it up to 21st century standards providing a mid-scale 450 seat auditorium, complemented by new rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms, dance studios/gymnasium, theatrical museum and café/bar, with additional retail, leisure and business spaces.

Green THI board chairman Councillor John Stewart said: "The proposals are an imaginative and positive step that will secure the long-term future of this nationally important building which has been at risk for some years. Brian Hendry and the shareholders in the Tivoli Theatre Company should be commended for their approach."

The Tivoli is an outstanding and rare, near intact example of a Victorian theatre. It has a distinctive and striking entrance façade and an excellent interior decorative scheme. The building is the product of two renowned theatre architects, CJ Phipps and Frank Matcham. The interior has been described as one of the best remaining examples of Matcham's work in the United Kingdom. The entrance elevation uses red and grey granite to create a polychromatic, round arched pattern which makes an unusual and significant contribution to the streetscape. Originally known as Her Majesty's Opera House, the theatre was built by CJ Phipps and James Mathews and contains the first large-scale use of concrete in a theatre building in Scotland. In 1897 Frank Matcham was asked to redecorate some of the building and improve the fire exits. The Tivoli closed in 1906 after the opening of His Majesty's Theatre nearby. However, in preparation for re-opening in 1909, Matcham carried out a further scheme of improvements and reconstruction which included extending the balcony forward to leave single boxes by the side of the stage. These works costs £10,000. The theatre re-opened in 1910, when its name was changed to The Tivoli. As a largely unaltered building, The Tivoli is therefore an important remaining record of Matcham's work. The Tivoli was primarily a variety venue and hosted many famous Scottish performers, including Harry Lauder, traditional fiddlers, Andy Stewart and The White Heather Group. A popular theatre, the queues for performances often stretched down Guild Street in both directions.

Green THI project manager Graham Young said: "This grand old theatrical lady has enjoyed a rich and colourful history. Although she has fallen on hard times in recent years she can now look forward to a new lease of life. The restoration and ultimate reopening of The Tivoli will be a pivotal link in helping to stimulate and regenerate the Green THI area."

Mr Hendry said: "This was always going to be a three stage process for me. The first stage was to secure the building and this was done last September. Stage two was to save the building, which we are now entering, and with the help of Aberdeen City Council, the Lottery Heritage Fund, the Green Townscape Heritage Initiative and Historic Scotland, I'm delighted that work should start soon to protect the building's future. Once the external works are completed we will enter stage three which will be the restoration and development of the internal part of the Tivoli, to make it a top class mixed-use venue that the city can be proud of."

Further work remains to be done, including agreeing the specification of works, costing them and putting those works out to tender, before the funding bid is approved. It is hoped that this decision will be made by September.

Grant schemes are available to nearly all property owners in the Green THI area who wish to undertake high quality repair and restoration of buildings with architectural or group merit. The initiative will enable The Green to play a key role in city centre redevelopment and provide the important first impression of the city and Aberdeenshire to visitors arriving by bus, boat or rail. The revitalised Green will have an important role in linking Union Street with the bus and railway stations and commercial developments south of Union Street.

There is obvious potential for the development of a distinct city neighbourhood in The Green, characterised by cafes, restaurants, specialist shops, galleries and a revitalised Tivoli Theatre. The Merchant Quarter Association is working to create such an area, which provides a new vibrant, cultural, "grown-up" area for Aberdeen, centred around brasserie-style food and drink, lifestyle businesses and independent shopping, supplemented by a range of festivals; the creation of an artistic gateway with themed lighting, art, sculptures and street furniture.

A programme of street work to enhance the streetscape, including the restoration and repair of the granite sett surfaces is due to be completed in July.

It is hoped that the Townscape Heritage Initiative, which will last for three to five years, will completely regenerate the area by both restoring the historic fabric of The Green and attracting new uses appropriate for a 21st century city. The Green THI covers the area between Union Street and Guild Street, from Shiprow to Bridge Street, including the Adelphi, the Green, and Market Street. The Green THI is a partnership between Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen City Heritage Trust, The Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland and Scottish Enterprise. It has secured £1.4million of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and another £1.4million contributed by Aberdeen City Council (£525,000), Historic Scotland (£350,000), and Scottish Enterprise (£525,000).

Further information
For more information about Mr Hendry's plans for the Tivoli Theatre call him on 01224 586988 or 07785 975601.

C J Phipps (1835-1897) is considered to be one of the first great theatre specialists of the Victorian Theatre. Based largely in England, his output includes The Garrick in London. He was succeeded by Matcham and others, whose designs tended to be more extravagant.

Frank Matcham (1854-1920), was one of the most respected theatre architects of the early twentieth century. Working around the UK, he designed more than 200 theatres, including the Kings Theatre in Glasgow, although only about 25 of his theatres now survive. 

News 31/05/2010
Progress Report

Progress on implementing the Public Realm Streetscape Works was delayed primarily owing to the severe winter weather. Nearly 75% of the work has now been completed and the latest completion date is mid July. The central area of The Green is already looking much improved.

The first grants to building owners to undertake small scale repairs works have been made and several more are anticipated in the coming months. A number of grant applications under the Main Grants Scheme are in preparation and the first of these should be awarded by the end of June. Building owners who are interested in exploring the possibility of grant funding but as yet have not contacted the THI are encouraged to do so as available funds are finite.

Plans are underway to help implement a number of events in The Green aimed at attracting more visitors as well as an opportunity of residents meet socially. A number of businesses in the Green have joined together to form The Merchant Quarter marketing and tourism consortium aimed at promoting The Green as a destination for quality shopping, meals out and entertainment.

News 26/10/2009
Prevention Better Than Cure - find out how to better look after your property

Three seminars are being held at The Carmelite Hotel on the evenings of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 23-25 November 2009 as part of National Maintenance Week, with practical advice on how to more effectively maintain flatted properties and traditional buildings.

Prevention Better than Cure is being organised by The Green THI in conjunction with Aberdeen City Heritage Trust and Aberdeen City Council's Private Housing Unit.

News 19/08/2009
Courtesy of the Press and Journal
Bid to restore historic part of Aberdeen Architecture funding grants for the Green available as area set to thrive by Declan Harte.

A multimillion-pound plan to revamp a historic part of Aberdeen was revealed. The Green Townscape Heritage Initiative, which plans to restore historical buildings in the area between Union Street and Guild Street, will provide funding to help building owners repair damaged period architecture. It was set up to improve the architecturally rich area, which has become run down in recent years but is expecting a surge in business once the new Union Square development opens in Guild Street in the autumn. Residents and business owners who attended the scheme's launch at the Carmelite Hotel in Stirling Street were told big and small grants would be available. The project has already secured £1.4million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £525,000 from Aberdeen City Council, £525,000 from Scottish Enterprise and £350,000 from Historic Scotland.

Council leader John Stewart, who is the initiative's chairman, said: "This marks an important step in the further development of the Green and it is great to have the go-ahead from Heritage Lottery to invite applications to start spending on improving the properties in the area. This will be further enhanced by the streetscape improvements to the area, which are being funded by the city council, which are vital to securing linkages between Union Street and the new Guild Street development."

Specific funding is being held for priority projects, such as the Tivoli Theatre in Guild Street. However, most of the area's property owners are eligible to apply.

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: "The Green is set to become a well-connected, dynamic area where cafe culture will thrive alongside small specialist shops and galleries."

News 01/07/2009

Councillor John Stewart
Chairman of the Green THI Board said:

This is a welcome opportunity to secure investment in key buildings in the area, as well as provide support for homeowners and businesses to improve their properties.

This will be further enhanced by the streetscape improvements to the area, which are being funded by the City Council, which will assist in developing better linkages between Union Street and the new Guild Street development.

The first visible evidence of the Green THI will be seen this summer with the launch of the streetscape work. I am excited at the prospect of seeing the work begin and the steady improvement of the area over the next four years.