A high profile eyesore building in the heart of Perth could be handed a new lease of life.
The Inveralmond-based McDermott Group have lodged a change of use planning application with Perth and Kinross Council aimed at transforming the long vacant former City of Perth Co-operative Society store into accommodation tailored to the demands of students.
While it does not enjoy listed status, it is located within a conservation area and for many years the imposing 1904 sandstone property has featured on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk register, with its condition in successive bulletins described as “poor.”
The ground floor of the property on the corner of Scott Street and Canal Street has been used for various retail uses in recent years but floors above have lain empty, with broken and boarded-up windows creating an eyesore viewed from the busy car park to the rear of the premises.
It is among several city centre buildings the local authority is eager to see restored and rejuvenated, including the decaying St Paul’s Church.
The McDermott Group wants to create 47 “high quality” student bedrooms, 30 self-contained studios and communal facilities, with a lift accessing upper levels from a main entrance on Scott Street.
Their Glasgow architects, CRGP, have produced a detailed design statement for council planners and neighbouring property owners have been notified of their proposals.
They note the upper floors are vacant and in a dilapidated state and note: “Our proposal represents an exciting opportunity to breathe new life into a prominent local landmark and provide a new, dynamic and sustainable future for the building.”
The developers propose to remove an asbestos clad sixties addition to the original three-story building and replace it with a “new, high quality two storey extension.”
The architects, who are confident their design will enhance the neighbourhood, state: “Our main objective is to bring the building back into use with the restoration of the prominent sandstone corner block which is currently in a very poor condition.”
In drawing-up the plans, they have looked at various examples of designs which have successfully blended historical facades with modern additions.
In this case, a “crisp, lightweight metallic finish” is envisaged to create a new upper tier described as “unfussy and elegant”.
The City of Perth Co-operative Society flagship once dominated Scott Street and was one of the biggest stores in the city.
It’s name is engraved in the sandstone above the former entrance, providing a reminder of the glory days.
