The fire-hit former Robertson’s furniture store in Dundee is being demolished.
The historic Art Deco building on Barrack Street, known as Willison House, was destroyed in a deliberate blaze at the weekend and was left at risk of collapse.
Surrounding roads have been closed since Saturday night’s fire and bulldozers moved in on Wednesday morning.
Locals watched on as much of the stone structure, which dated from the 1930s, was torn down in a matter of minutes – including the B-listed facade.
Work continued on Thursday with further areas of the building being knocked down.
Catherine Hill, 86, said: “I am sorry to see it go. I was in (the shop) a few times and it always had really good stuff on offer.
“There are many parts of Dundee that have been demolished over the years.
“You can’t rebuild it obviously but I think they should ask the people of Dundee what should happen (at the site) now.”
‘Dundee has lost a really good building’
Charlie McDonagh, 66, told The Courier: “It’s a sad day. Dundee has lost a really good building but it should have been redeveloped long before now.
“This is what happens if you just leave buildings like that.
“The city has changed four or five times in my lifetime and I think we need new ideas now.”
Ann Walker, who is originally from Dundee but now lives in Fife, said: “I have fond memories of running up Barrack Street when I was at high school.
“I used to pass Robertson’s when I would go to Frank Russell’s book shop.
“The children’s library was on the corner of Ward Road as well.”
Rosie Coutts, 44, described it as a “lovely building”.
She added: “There is a lot of lovely architecture in Dundee and I think it’s symbolic of that neglect, really.
“It was a shocking to see a fire that big in Dundee and you wonder about the reasons behind it.”
Dundee City Council said on Tuesday that the building could not be saved.
However, the local authority has not confirmed how long the full demolition process will take.
It came after fire chief Serge Kabamba told The Courier on Monday how the building was showing “potential signs of collapse”.
Preparation work was carried out on Tuesday for the demolition, including spreading large piles of dirt on the road outside.
The site was most recently the subject of plans for student accommodation.
However, the firm behind those plans – KR Developments – says it has “no idea at the moment” what the fire and loss of the building will mean for that development.
Site’s owners yet to comment on fire
The Courier has been unable to reach the site’s owner, Structured House (Barrack Street) Ltd, for comment and the company has not issued any public statements since the blaze.
Robertson’s, founded in 1880, moved into Willison House in 1929, with the extension of its landmark facade completed in 1937.
It closed in 2011 after the company fell into administration and the building has been empty ever since – falling into a state of disrepair.
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