These aerial images show how work is progressing on the next phase of Dundee’s £1 billion waterfront redevelopment.
The drone footage by Dale Summerton of the city’s Rising View captures the start of construction on a £15.5 million office block directly across from the V&A.
The finished building is expected to offer space for some 800 workers in a section of the waterfront known as site six, which will also be home to a 150-bedroom hotel operated by Marriott and residential accommodation.
The office block plans were approved by Dundee City Council in June 2017, but sparked anger among locals who argued the five-storey building would tarnish views of the V&A from the city centre.
A petition to prevent the building work from going ahead was signed by more than 2,000 people.
City development convener Lynne Short said the scheme could draw in overseas businesses, as well as firms from elsewhere in Scotland, due to its central location and proximity to Dundee Station.
The SNP councillor added: “We are halfway through a 30-year project. It is very exciting. I know there are a lot of people doubtful, but wind the clock back five years ago and people were doubtful about the V&A. Bear with us.
“There is so much happening in Dundee, things are really pushing along. Council officers, John Alexander (council leader), myself, all my colleagues across the council, MSPs, MPS, everybody is out there selling Dundee as a location for Scotland.
“These offices are right across from the train station. Scotland is on an international platform, why can’t Dundee take advantage of that platform?”
She pointed to the city’s existing global links with firms such as Michelin, which is French and the American giant NCR, adding: “Let’s not just limit ourselves.
“Why can’t we have international companies knocking on our door?”
The tender for the building work was awarded to Wilmott Dixon Construction Ltd with the work sub-contracted to the Robertson Construction Group.
The firms committed to a “community benefits programme” before construction got under way. This included guarantees to employ local labour and apprentices.
Discussing the new office block in December, Dundee City Council’s executive director of city development Mike Galloway said: “What we are proposing to do is address the market failure in the centre of Dundee where we have no suitable office space available for companies looking to move to the city.
“That, we believe, holds back the city’s economy.”
The building is due to be completed in 2019.
