British property development firm Hammerson is seeking planning permission to expand the Union Square shopping mall in Aberdeen.
The company submitted an application for planning permission in principle (PPiP) to Aberdeen City Council for a £200m expansion, as reported by Construction Enquirer.
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Work under the proposed expansion includes the addition of new retail and leisure space and additional parking spaces.
Hammerson will also build a 120 bedroom hotel and an expanded cinema, as well as reconfiguring a part of the centre’s existing shopping area.
The company plans to begin work on the project in 2017, upon receiving approval.
The expansion project is expected to create close to 2,000 new jobs.
Union Square general manager Ryan Manson said: "The opportunity to extend Union Square will enable us to build upon our successful track record of providing the city with new and exciting retailers and restaurants by enhancing our existing retail and leisure offer, whilst delivering the right infrastructure to support it.
”From the outset it has been vitally important to ensure our plans provide maximum benefit to not only our 16 million customers, but the wider local community.
"By complementing the aspirations of Aberdeen City Council’s City Centre Masterplan, which outlines the expansion of Union Square as a key ‘masterplan project’, we believe there is a real opportunity to deliver a scheme which will provide social and economic benefits to the local community and beyond."
Hammerson has recently agreed to acquire the new Grand Central shopping centre in Birmingham from Birmingham City Council for £335m.
