Marischal College East: What next for historic Aberdeen site as university moves out?

Many will remember sitting exams or attending their graduation ceremonies at the grandiose Mitchell Hall at Aberdeen’s Marischal College.

The historic building, designed by Archibald Simpson, has been part of Aberdeen University’s heritage for almost 200 years.

It welcomed generations of students over the years, with all science and medicine classes being taught there throughout much of the 20th century.

Another fondly recalled part of its history is the Marischal Museum, which has been home to Egyptian mummies and other anthropological artefacts for decades.

Other curios included shrunken heads, Chinese war drums, tattooed Maori heads and a 300-year-old Inuit canoe found in the River Don.

But by the time the university began leasing most of Marischal College out to Aberdeen City Council about a decade ago, just these two areas remained in use.

And now, with the building declining, Aberdeen University is shipping out the collection – leaving the future of the landmark far from certain…

What is wrong with Marischal College East?

The worsening condition of the eastern section of the building became apparent when groups using some of the space there were told they would have to leave.

Repair works also waylaid the £15 million project to turn nearby Queen Street into an urban park.

In February, it was estimated these works would take around a year.

Meanwhile, it emerged last summer that seagulls had clogged up guttering and caused more damage to the A-listed building.

The mothballed Mitchell Hall suffered water damage, which caused some flooring to come loose as well as “deterioration” of internal stonework and timber.

Papers seeking permission for upgrades explained how the area facing West North Street “requires regular maintenance due to the accumulation of debris from seagulls and pigeons”.

And this year, with the Quad sealed off for safety reasons, the usual Christmas market stalls were moved across the road to Marischal Square.

However, efforts are now being made to see what could be done with this architectural gem.

How long will works at Marischal College East take?

Emails uncovered by The Press and Journal via freedom of information legislation shed more light on Aberdeen University moving its collection of relics out.

Correspondence sent from principal Peter Edwards, before he took on the top job, to councillor Martin Greig show how the university aims to find new uses for this jewel.

While confirming the plans to decant from Marischal College East, he said the university would be “considering how to secure a viable long term future for the building after they have vacated”.

The email states: “We are only vacating the areas of Marischal East that we still occupy ourselves.

“This exercise will take between 12-18 months to achieve given the scale and complexity of the collections that need to be relocated to other university locations.”

‘We need to be realistic about the future’

One of the options Aberdeen University is exploring is potentially leasing the building out to a new taker in order to secure a healthy future.

It’s part of a bigger scheme aimed at commercialising university buildings and helping the institution get back on its feet financially.

But he stresses they need to “identify an appropriate occupier” before setting the wheels in motion.

In the email, Mr Edwards continues: “Going forward though, we need to be realistic that it is unlikely to be financially viable to continue to operate the building with only a very small area of it in use.

“Our immediate activities are focused on safe relocation of our university collections
and the required maintenance works.

“We are working closely with officers within the city council as our tower maintenance and decanting project works progress.”

What does future hold?

Months on from Mr Edwards confirming the plans to Mr Greig, a spokesperson for Aberdeen University gave an update to The Press and Journal.

They said: “The university’s priority is to safeguard the long-term future of Marischal College by securing a sustainable use that protects the fabric of the building and supports its ongoing contribution to the city centre.

“Any future leasing arrangements will be structured to ensure responsible stewardship of the building.

“In the interim essential repairs and maintenance work are under way at Mitchell Tower.”

Could Marischal College East become business and cultural centre?

Mr Greig – who is also the cultural spokesman for Aberdeen City Council – has also offered up several ideas for what could be made of the east section of Marischal College.

“It would make an excellent centre for cultural, business or conference uses,” he told The Press and Journal.

“Refurbishment of this attractive example of our local heritage would add so much vibrancy and life to the city centre.

“The east wing offers excellent opportunities for hosting artistic or commercial activities that can contribute a great deal to the wellbeing of the area and the city.

“I hope that we will see a timeline and programme of improvement soon.”

[Source: Press and Journal]