Joint venture partner of Aberdeen City Council Henry Boot Developments has appointed Keppie Design as architect for the proposed £333m Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC).
As part of the contract, Keppie is expected to deliver the project at Bucksburn, near Aberdeen International Airport.
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The BBC reported that the new centre will replace the existing Bridge of Don AECC and is set to form part of the Rowett North masterplan development, south of Aberdeen International Airport.
In March, Aberdeen City Council approved the project plans, which include three hotels, an energy centre, 60,000m² office and leisure space, as well as parkland and parking areas besides the modernisation of the site of the existing conference centre.
Project works are expected to commence by mid-2016, and completion is estimated for late 2018.
Henry Boot Developments Scottish director Nick Harris told The Scotsman: "It’s vital creativity and sustainability are key drivers so the end product will leave a lasting legacy."
Once the existing AECC closes, the Bridge of Don site will be vacated, sources said.
The existing conference centre in Aberdeen, Scotland, which recently underwent a major refurbishment, houses a Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotel, conference facilities and the 4,800-seat, multi-purpose GE Oil and Gas Arena.
At present, the arena hosts local sporting events, including the Aberdeen Cup tennis event.
Image: Existing Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre in Aberdeen, Scotland. Photo: courtesy of Graham Scott.
