They were to be the solution to city housing problems, towering high above the rooftops and providing residents with a head for heights, a bird’s eye view of the world below. Multi-storey flats sprouted across British urban landscapes from the 1950s onwards; a perfect way to cram dozens of families onto a relatively small footprint even if from the outside they looked like giant concrete boxes. While social problems plus the costs of maintaining the ‘streets in the sky’ led to many being razed to the ground in spectacular demolitions, in Aberdeen, at least, a group of Brutalist high-rise homes which have dominated the skyline for over half a century has received the ultimate in historic protection.
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Council to seek advice on appealing Grade A listing of Aberdeen multi-storeys
© Donna Ewen
Hutcheon Court is among the buildings given a Grade A listing.
Aberdeen City Council has agreed to seek advice on appealing the decision to award eight multi-storey buildings in the city Grade A listed status.
The inner-city buildings were given the status by Historic Environment Scotland HES last month, on the basis of their “outstanding architectural and historic interest”.
But the listing has proved controversial, with the Scottish Government’s housing minister Kevin Stewart saying it would restrict remedial and repair work on the buildings affecting thousands of people.
Decision to list Aberdeen high-rises could put extra pressure on council staff and finances
© Kath Flannery / DCT Media
The decision by HES to list the buildings has proved controversial.
Council officers have warned a decision to give listed building status to eight high-rises in Aberdeen might place additional pressures on both staff and finances.
Officers have said that there are implications for the council as a result of the decision, and submit an appeal if there are competent grounds to do so within the required timescale.
The sites listed include Gilcomstoun Land, Porthill Court, Seamount Court, Virginia Court, Marischal Court, Thistle Court, Hutcheon Court and Greig Court – a total of 839 flats.
Meeting to be held over decision to grant listed status to Aberdeen high-rises
© Darrell Benns/DCT Media
Seamount Court and Porthill Court were granted protected status.
A group of politicians were to meet the boss of a heritage body over the controversial decision to list eight of Aberdeen’s high-rise buildings.
Earlier this month Historic Environment Scotland (HES) announced the multi-storey blocks would become A-listed – granting them the same protected status as Marischal College and Aberdeen Music Hall.
A furious backlash greeted the announcement, with city leaders criticising HES for failing to take into account local opinion.
Local leaders raised concerns over delays and increased costs of carrying out vital repairs to the blocks.
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