Councillors back Seabraes offices made from shipping containers
Dundee's reputation as a leader in the digital sector looks to have been boosted with permission granted for a new office development made from shipping containers.
An artist's impression of the Seabraes office plan.
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 22.02.12
- Published online : 22.02.12 @ 04.54pm
Fledgling companies in the creative industries will shortly have the opportunity to move into some much needed office space thanks to an innovative pilot project earmarked for a former railyard site in Seabraes.
A planning application, spearheaded by Scottish Enterprise, was approved by the council's development management committee this week. Under the plan, the three-storey structure will be built from 18 shipping containers with the main aim of the scheme to attract more creative industries to the city.
During the committee meeting, west end councillor Fraser Macpherson sought assurances from the applicant that the unusual building blocks would not jar against the surrounding buildings.
He said: ''There are concerns that the containers won't integrate with the local design.''
In response, Ged Young from the applicant's agent AIM said the design of the building fits with the area's industrial past.
He added: ''They are not old containers and their condition will look as if they are virtually new. They come with a 25-year warranty and I believe it will stand the test of time.''
It had been argued that Dundee lacked the type of flexible office space that would attract start-up digital companies to Dundee. Although the city can boast success stories, many businesses were said to be looking elsewhere and therefore draining away the city's rich talent pool of graduates.
Backers of the plan hope that more businesses will now take advantage of the Seabraes site.
But Councillor Jimmy Black questioned Scottish Enterprise on similar projects found elsewhere which had failed to attract the level of interest anticipated.
Peter Noad of Scottish Enterprise acknowledged that it was a ''risky venture'' but added that extensive research had been carried out.
He said: ''I think that the private sector has been unable to make it work in Dundee and I believe the public sector should come in and support this industry.''
The second hand shipping containers have been specially adapted to form offices and once built will include communal meeting rooms, toilets and showers, plant and 'break out' areas.
Dundee's director of city development Mike Galloway recommended to the committee to approve the application.
He said: ''It's important that councillors don't look at this application as a pile of containers and should not be viewed as a temporary structure.''
08.37pm - 22.02.2012 Al - Dundee, UK Report This
A great idea if executed well. Glad to see this kind of innovation in Dundee. Anything to encourage more jobs is to be encouraged.
02.44am - 23.02.2012 Dundee On Credit - Dundee, Scotalnd Report This
What about using the the £10 million development next door first (Scottish Enterprise) Google it its vision@seabraes but I don't think you will like the 1st result, people are Laughing@Dundee. Come on "extensive research had been carried out" I am sure you came out with that one for the Vision Joke.
08.17am - 23.02.2012 Ballumbie Ryan - Dundee, UK Report This
I reckon this will look awful for visitors arriving by train.
10.18am - 23.02.2012 Kenny - Forfar, Scotland Report This
"design of the building fits with the area's industrial past." Correct, PAST. This whole waterfront area had the chance to become landscaped and attract people to the waterfront. Now it is just a hotch-potch of buildings. The Dundee waterfront is a missed opportunity.
02.35pm - 23.02.2012 Sandy ex-Dundee - Pforzheim, Germany Report This
Dundee's next architectural atrocity. I don't know of another Town in the U.K. which has sacrificed so much of itself and its heritage to commerce and profit. Indeed "Dundee....the completest monument in the entire continent of human folly, avarice and selfishness" (Thomas D. McDonald)
03.17pm - 23.02.2012 Steve Scott - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Have to sort out the access at the Greenmarket then. At 5 the traffic snarls up with the Car Park emptying, and the offices at SET finishing. The lights at Marketgait need re-timed to let more traffic out. It's bad enough at 9am with traffic on the wrong side of the road to pass the car park queue
03.23pm - 23.02.2012 Steve Scott - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Not to mention the pedestrians crossing at Greenmarket away from the pelican crossing and the cyclists cutting across the pavement to save waiting at the lights. A Roseangle junction would not work either - it's already congested there with the free parkers clogging up the streets. Plan smarter DCC
08.37am - 24.02.2012 Caadfael - Forfar, Nuclear free Scotland Report This
It is already a growing movement worldwide for cheap fast-install housing and office spaces Do it!
02.53pm - 24.02.2012 Ikorodu - Pforzheim, Germany Report This
The latest architectural atrocity in Dundee.
11.47pm - 24.02.2012 Mike - Tunbridge Wells, Uk Report This
Why not just use Portakabins? Innovative, yes - and a good job done on the "artist's impression" used to illustrate the story - but more likely to turn Sebraes into a joke than to boost Dundee's profile.
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