Plans to lease one of the Dundee’s most historic buildings as offices have been branded as “ridiculous”.
Dundee City Council is looking for “the right tenant” to take a long-term lease on Camperdown House, which sits in Camperdown Park.
The building, which was completed in 1828, is being marketed for rent as potential offices with 23,500 sq ft of space by Edinburgh firm Cushman and Wakefield.
But campaign group The Friends of Camperdown House has branded the idea of turning the building into offices as “ridiculous”.
The particulars state: “Offers are invited for the long-term lease of Camperdown House and surrounding environs. The length of lease, and timing of payments are flexible.
“The property is offered with vacant possession. There remains flexibility to assign the existing partial occupier Camperdown Golf Club for their club house and pro shop.
“It is broadly assumed that Camperdown Golf Club will continue to operate and that the council and club will make suitable arrangements in parallel to accepting any offer. Camperdown Golf Course will be unaffected.”
They add: “An element of public access to allow viewing parts of the listed interior of the building and any items of art would also be desirable.”
Completed in 1828 Camperdown House is the largest Greek Revival house remaining in Scotland.
There have been several attempts to bring the buildings back into use. Most recently, it was used as the location for a vintage tearoom operated in conjunction with students from Dundee and Angus College.
It was previously marketed for lease as a possible hotel, restaurant or visitor attraction in 2015.
Friends of Camperdown House have lambasted the idea it could be turned into offices.
Chairman Captain James Crawford said: “This is one of the more ridiculous moves by the council to try and market one of their most treasured possessions as office space.
“The Friends of Camperdown House will be very disappointed with this latest move, but not surprised.”
Friends of Camperdown House have been involved in efforts to promote and open up the building since the group was formed in 1997.
Captain Crawford added: “We have always believed it should be developed as a maritime museum showing off the vast collection of Duncan memorabilia that sits underground and out of sight in Edinburgh.
“We were hoping that the Dundee and Angus College were going to use it as a cookery training establishment, which may have allowed us to establish a small museum in the billiard room.
“The Dundee and Angus College did do teas in Camperdown House some three years ago with great success, but this has not been followed up.”
Labour councillor Richard McCready said, while he wants to see the building brought back into use, it should be open to the public.
He said: “It belongs to the people of Dundee. It’s an important part of the history of Dundee and the use of the house has to reflect that.
“I would be very concerned if Camperdown House was to be used as offices. I think that is unacceptable.”
Dundee City Council city development convener Lynne Short said the local authority wants to find the “right tenant” for Camperdown House.
The SNP councillor said: “It would make a great events space or special occasion venue for the right operator.
“We will always try to put Dundee in front of the right people who can help to invest in our city.”
