New plan for Aberdeen unveiled

This is the first image of a new £333m exhibition and conference centre. The new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) will form the focal point of a major new masterplan for Aberdeen. Global consultancy Turner & Townsend will project manage first phase of projects including the 105,000sqm complex. The scheme includes 12,500-capacity flexible arena space, which will attract world-class performers plus three hotels and an innovative energy centre. The plan also features an adjoining four-star hotel, with a further two hotels located adjacent to the main building, which will be developed within the first phase. The masterplan for the site allows for future development of up to 60,000sqm of offices and 6,000sqm of leisure. The new facility will be fully serviced by an energy centre and anaerobic digestion plant. This will provide a sustainable source of power, heat and cooling for the complex, along with the two further hotels. This will also supply an income stream that will help cover the cost of the development. The AECC, which will be located off the A96 adjacent to Aberdeen International Airport, is expected to attract an extra 31,000 business tourists to Scotland a year and lead to an additional visitor spend of £11million a year. Turner & Townsend, which was chosen for its strong track record in successfully completing similar schemes, will be working for specialist property developer Henry Boot Developments Ltd who are partnering with Aberdeen City Council on this scheme. The consultancy will project manage the first phase of construction and be responsible for the overall programme management of the masterplan, which will be built out on the site of the Rowett Research Institute at Bucksburn. The Institute is relocating to another part of the city.