Unsold: Ex-RGU union will go back up for auction after top bid of £513k
In December 2014, the B-listed ex-student hub and the Clarke Building on Harriet Street were sold by the university for £5 million.
It was bought by Malmaison/Hotel du Vin Group, who were expected to make it into a 255-bedroom boutique hotel and restaurant.
The project received planning permission in 2015, but the oil and gas downturn saw this vision scrapped.
Up for online auction yesterday by Future Property Auctions, it received a top bid of £513,500 after 17 bids were submitted for the property.
The lot, which has been described as a 'fantastic development opportunity' by auctioneers Future Property Auctions, includes 54-70 Schoolhill.
The university's former building on Harriet Street will also be included in the sale.
As well as the buildings, which measure 88,794 square feet, it includes a central courtyard.
It was in use by the Robert Gordon University until 2013.
Its closure meant that despite Aberdeen being home to two universities and a college, the city centre has no students' union.
Despite a revival of the hotel plans coming back on the table three years ago, it never took off.
Architects Halliday Fraser Munro said the two buildings have enough space for about 85 flats and a retail space.
Also, if it did become housing, it would be eligible for Aberdeen City Council's affordable housing waiver.
This would make it exempt from the requirement to include affordable homes.
It will be back up for auction on June 12.
Inn at the Park, which is located in Ferryhill, will also go back up for auction on June 12.
It comes after it received a high bid of £435k.
A total of 31 bids were submitted for the property at yesterday's auction.
The bidding opened at £405k despite a guide price of £450k.
This did not meet the seller's demand, and the lot will go back up for sale for a third time.
On May 15, an online auction conducted by Future Property Auctions saw a high bid of £502k after receiving a total of eight bids for the 11-bedroom hotel.
The property also includes a bar, lounge, restaurant, function room and two beer gardens.
The next day, it was confirmed that the price failed to meet the expectations of the owners of the hotel.
Before going up for auction, Inn at the Park was last up on the market in late 2016.
At that time offers in excess of £550k were being sought for the Deemount Terrace hotel.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Telegraph
Teenager becomes Britain's youngest landlady
A teenager has become Britain's youngest landlady after taking over her local pub at the age of 18. Neve Baker-Wright took over the lease of The New Inn in Folkingham, Lincolnshire, after the previous landlords suggested she submit a business plan. The teenager worked as a waitress in pubs from the age of 14 but was unsure what career path to follow after finishing her A-levels. She said her task would be to 'entice a younger generation' to the Grade II-listed pub. Andy Baker, her father, has taken on the role of chef while her mother is helping the teenager with the cleaning at the pub. Ms Baker-Wright said: 'Lots of people just said, 'Give it a shot', and at first I thought, 'No way', because I'm only 18. 'I've never done anything like this before. My family had said to me, 'What could possibly go wrong?' and my response was: 'Well, quite a lot'. 'But the more encouragement I got, the more I started to believe I could do it and here I am now.' She had studied business studies at A-level and said she considered the 'lovely village pub' her local. Ms Baker-Wright, who will be 19 on September 20, was handed the keys on July 30 and opened the pub on August 1 with a live band. She said she wanted to introduce themed nights and cocktail evenings as well as to make the pub more family friendly. She said: 'It has been hard work, I'm in at 6am most days but it has been going really well so far and everybody has been so supportive. 'For me, it is about keeping the core customer base while attracting new people from a younger generation and families too. 'We have quiz nights, bingo and seniors lunches but we want our customers to be from right across the spectrum and everyone is welcome. 'The garden is great and I'm hoping to be able to invest in some play equipment and a decking stage, so we can have some live local music.' She added: 'I have lots of plans and I'm determined for the challenge ahead. Everyone has been so friendly and helpful so far so I'm feeling positive.' Mr Baker said: 'I know she will put the hours in. She already has. 'It's a tough industry, so for someone like Neve to blank that out, I'm hoping with her enthusiasm it will inspire more people.' The number of pubs in the UK has steadily decreased every year since 2000, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. Some 15,000 pubs have closed in that time, including 289 last year – the equivalent of nearly six a week.
BBC News
02-08-2025
- BBC News
Closed Much Wenlock 16th Century inn could be set to reopen
A closed 16th Century inn in Shropshire could be set to reopen after new plans were drawn application for a new premises license was submitted for the Inn at Harley, formerly the Plume of Feathers, off the A458 near Much venue was set to reopen two years ago and an Instagram post in May 2023 said it was in the early stages of renovation, offering nine en suite Harley View Limited, which owns public houses and bars, is hopeful in the application that the building could reopen. The proposal said the hours of operation would be from 07:00 to 01:30, with the supply of alcohol from 10:00 to 01: also want to be able to host live and recorded music indoors, as well as serving late-night consultation period has ended, with a decision to be made in due course by Shropshire Council. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The National
24-07-2025
- The National
Highland pub to be bought over by village community
The Glenuig Inn in Lochaber has become a popular spot for trad musicians and contains stonework dating back to a building burned down in 1746 by soldiers pursuing Bonne Prince Charlie. After months of fundraising, the Glenuig Community Inn Buyout has hit its optimum share offer target of £300,000 and secured the money needed to buy the iconic inn, thanks to a grant from the Scottish Land Fund. Almost 60% of shareholders are residents of Glenuig. READ MORE: Scottish community-owned island announces boycott of Israel The purchase of the pub reportedly means Glenuig will become Scotland's first fully community-run mainland village, with several other businesses such as the village shop already run by villagers. Alongside share offer response, the campaign has brought in £14,420 through Crowdfunder rewards and a further £4164 in direct donations. A confirmed grant from the Scottish Land Fund means that Glenuig now has the green light and the funds to complete the purchase. 'We're absolutely over the moon,' said Helen MacRae, chair of Glenuig Community Inn Benefit Society. 'To reach our share offer target, exceed our fundraising goals, and secure SLF support is just phenomenal. We can't thank everyone enough for their support.' READ MORE: World's tallest cinema in Glasgow could be 'closed down' Rona Yard, current owner of Glenuig Inn, added: 'The idea of a community buyout began in December 2023. No-one in the community wanted a repeat of what happened in the past, where the locals lost their local. "I was fully supportive of this, and after running the pub single-handedly last season, I had no wish or energy to run it this year. "I was therefore truly grateful that in November 2024 we started negotiations for the community to run the pub this season with an option to buy. I am so pleased that they have risen to the challenge of running the Inn and now are in the position to buy it. "I wish them luck and hope they continue with all the community events and focus on sustainability which myself and my family put in place.' The high point of the campaign came on June 28 when band Shooglenifty raised the roof at a sold-out fundraising gig at Glenuig Hall. The event, which also featured performances from Jim Hunter, Jim Michie, Arbor Green and Dolphin Boy, raised £7481.52, excluding bar takings – which are expected to add even more to the total. While the community now has sufficient funds to complete the purchase of the Inn, a further £25,000 is needed to reach the overall fundraising target of £700,000. These additional funds will ensure the community can comfortably cover initial operating costs for the first six months of ownership and meet the various fees associated with the buyout process. Anyone who would like to support the community further can contact shares@ for more details.
