A historic Dundee building could be transformed into two hotels and a restaurant under new plans unveiled last night.
Fifty six Barrack Street, the former home of Robertson’s Furnishers, has been the focus of a campaign by activists who want to protect its art deco architecture.
Now proposals have been submitted to Dundee City Council which would retain the property’s distinctive front, while demolishing less significant elements to make way for modern visitor accommodation.
Two hotels, boasting 247 rooms between them, as well as a restaurant form the crux of an application by McInally Associates on behalf of The Structured House Group (SHG).
Designers had hoped for the complete demolition of the building, but they have now rolled back their plan to include the protection of the structure’s facade.
Earlier proposals to create student accommodation on the site have been binned.
Designers believe the proposed hotels and restaurant would help to boost Dundee’s ongoing Waterfront development.
According to the submitted plans: “There is a need for additional high quality hotel accommodation in Dundee to meet the demands of the high level of visitors to the city. The proposed development will provide modern high quality accommodation for visitors to Dundee.”
It continues: “The proposed development will bring significant investment in the regeneration of the city centre (and will) increase the vitality and viability of the city centre”.
News of the development is likely to anger campaigners who wanted to avoid any demolition. Some have called for the premises to be used as an art studio.
According to correspondence sent by Historic Environment Scotland to Dundee City Council, the preservation group has welcomed the retention of the structure’s facade.
The group said: “The move away from total demolition to incorporation of the paired-back art deco facades into the mixed use development is a positive move.
“However, the proposals will still represent a significant intervention into the listed building and we had hoped that more of the structure could be retained.
“However, the majority of the architectural interest of 56 Barrack Street is in the facades and we welcome the commitment to
repairing the faience.
“A high quality restoration of the facades will help maintain
the more significant qualities of the listed building.”
The property has lain empty since 2011 when Robertson’s went out of business.
