Robert Gordon University (RGU) has completed the sale of part of its Schoolhill premises in Aberdeen’s city centre to the MHDV Property Holdings.
The buildings that have been sold are the university’s Clarke Building, the Students\' Union premises and tenement block at 54-58 Schoolhill, extending in total to 93,000 sq ft.
The sale follows RGU’s decision to move its academic activities to its Garthdee campus, where the university provides its students with a state-of-the-art teaching and learning environment.
The buildings are listed in part, and prior to the sale RGU secured a planning brief which permitted development for a number of uses including a hotel. As a condition of completing the sale, planning and licencing has been secured for conversion of the buildings.
This deal follows the sale of RGU’s St Andrews Street building in 2014. The university continues to occupy its Administration Building at Schoolhill, which is part of the original Robert Gordon Hospital site and is now shared between the university and Robert Gordon’s College.
The Principal of RGU, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, commented: “The completion of the sale marks our commitment both to our Garthdee campus and to supporting the regeneration of Aberdeen’s city centre.”
Paul Roberts, chief executive of MHDV Property Holdings, commented: “The acquisition of the Clarke and iconic student union buildings demonstrates our continued commitment to support the regeneration of the Aberdeen city centre.”
The sale was undertaken by Cushman & Wakefield. Its director Mark Jones stated: “The sale of the campus generated significant levels of interest, particularly within the hotel sector. These buildings lie in the heart of Aberdeen’s Cultural Quarter and will remain in economic use for generations to come.”
Amicus Property Consultants acted for MHDV Holdings.