Aberdeen City Centre and Beachfront Master Plan Update

14 May 2026 

Project Works – Union Street Central

Over the past weeks work has been progressing across the east, central and west sections of the project site.

A new bus island has been completed in the east section and the permanent pedestrian crossing opened. Access from the Back Wynd steps to St Nichlas Kirk has also been reinstated.

In the central section, a new power feeder pillar has been installed to support future infrastructure works and excavation of the north footway commenced, setback from the shop fronts between Beaverbrooks and TAG Heuer. On the south footway, the installation of new paving slabs has continued across the Union Bridge towards the Trinity Centre. New carriageway granite setts were also laid between Northern Diamond and the Trinity Centre.

Work in the west section has focused on excavating the carriageway on the Union Bridge to expose the deck and a new concrete protective slab installed to prepare the bridge for upcoming waterproofing and surfacing works.

Over the coming weeks, in the east section the carriageway between Back Wynd and Market Street will be reopened at the end of May with the setts ready for traffic to run on them. The remaining works in that section, including final surfacing of the cycle path and installing street furniture will follow in the coming weeks.

Work will continue in the central section along the north footway between Beaverbrook’s and TAG Heuer with out of hours overnight works to progress paving between now and 29 May to avoid any potential disruption to businesses.

The pedestrian crossing between Primark and TAG Heuer will reopen to improve access.

In the west section, waterproofing works will take place on the Union Bridge deck followed by the installation of new kerbs along the south footway and the commencement of paving slab works. The installation of granite setts will progress across the bridge as this phase of the works moves forward.

Project Works – Market

Work has progressed with visible advances across external areas, the roof and internal spaces as the build moves to the next stage of construction.

Along the East Green, the blockwork base course has been completed with the wall cavities filled and the surrounding ground backfilled. Waterproofing works continued across several areas of the building while roof activities progressed.

Inside the building, first-fix mechanical and electrical installations continued at ground level alongside joinery and masonry works. High level works have commenced in the roof space including fire boarding and the installation of the siphonic drainage system which allows the rapid and effective rainwater removal.

Over the next few weeks external masonry works will begin on the upper levels while roof works will see the installation of hatches and other roof-mounted equipment.

The installation of insulation to the soffit slabs in the service areas will move forward while internal masonry works at ground level are expected to be completed. The joinery, mechanical and electrical first-fix works will progress while gantries and handrails will be installed in the roof space along with lightning protection systems and bird protection measures on the roof.

Project Works – Castlegate

The focus has been on ground investigation works, clearance and preparing the site for the next phase of works.

Around 90% of the existing slabs have been removed so far and as part of the project’s sustainability commitments, 45 pallets of slabs have been donated to Aberdeen University for reuse in the Old Aberdeen conservation area. Additional granite material available will be reused in the beach project and set aside for use in the Castlegate lanes as part of the Heritage and Place Programme.

Excavations have commenced for gas diversion works, alongside wider preparations of utility services upgrades. New totem way finder signage has been temporarily installed to help pedestrians navigate their way round the site.

Over the coming weeks, gas diversion works will continue on the north side of the site along with planned diversions for electricity and telecoms services. Bulk excavation works will get underway along with the start of drainage installation.

The existing post box near the Carlton Bar will be removed as works progress through this stage.

Project Works – Beach 

Over the past weeks, the upgrade to the Links Road junction has been completed while the cladding has also been completed on the amphitheatre building and is progressing on the canopies.

The soft landscaping on the events field and beach park has also been progressed along with the coloured surfacing on the paths. The mechanical and electrical installation to all the new buildings has also progressed along with soft play surfacing at the climbing frame area.

The internal play equipment fit out has been completed in Worm 1 in the main play area.

Over the next few weeks work will begin on the platform installation on the main tower while the mechanical and electrical fit out for Worm 1 and Worm 2 will continue while the cladding installation to Worm 3 will progress.

The soft landscaping to the events field will be completed along with the internal fit out and commissioning of the gateway and amphitheatre buildings.  The hard landscaping for the pedestrian spine will progress along with the installation of external furniture throughout the entire site.