Aberdeen City Council's Finance and Resources Committee has received an update on three major projects forming part of the city's £150 million City Centre and Beach Master Plan.

The commitment aims to create vibrant, accessible areas for residents, visitors, and businesses across the city centre and beachfront.

Councillor Alex McLellan, Committee convener, expressed confidence that the regeneration will provide a real destination venue for the North East.

Beachfront Regeneration

The £50 million redevelopment of Aberdeen beach is moving ahead, with Broadhill already completed and opened to the public in July. Broadhill was transformed with new steps, footpaths, drystone walls, viewpoints, and landscaping, serving as a vantage point for the Tall Ships Race.

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• Beach Park and Events Park (Phase A): Both sites are aiming for practical completion in late summer 2026.

• Beach Park: Features a significantly sized outdoor destination with a core play park. Drainage and utility works are well progressed, and fit-out works are ongoing at the gateway and hub buildings.

• Events Park: Designed as a flexible space for large concerts and festivals. Surfacing work has begun, the canopy roof is complete, and the amphitheatre superstructure is finished.

City Centre Projects

• Union Street Central Streetscaping: This project, running from Union Terrace to Market Street, will reallocate space in favour of walking, wheeling, and riding users, and public transport. Due to unforeseen issues, including the removal of undocumented utilities, the estimated completion date has been pushed to Spring 2026, with risks potentially extending it into summer 2026.

• The Castlegate Public Realm: Focused on re-establishing the area as a central civic location and gateway to the beachfront, the project includes improved lighting, public art, and street greening. Due to the significant impact of utility works and their procurement, construction start has been paused. Work is currently estimated to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and last until Summer 2027, although this timeline is under review.

The Council noted that external pressures, including inflation, energy costs, and global factors like the war in Ukraine and trade wars, pose a significant risk of increasing costs for both ongoing and future projects.