October 18 2021

A landmark 40-metre high red brick chimney, centrepiece of the former Davidson's Paper Mill, has been restored for posterity by Barratt Homes.

Work by DWA landscape architects and Halliday Fraser Munro at Davidson's Square, the latest phase of the Riverside Quarter, harnesses the industrial relic of a time when Aberdeen was the largest manufacturer of paper bags, into a £650k public space on the banks of the River Don.

David Palmer, managing director at Barratt North Scotland, said: “The Davidson’s Paper Mill chimney is a recognisable landmark in Aberdeen, and we felt a huge responsibility to bring it back to life and celebrate the site’s heritage.

“Our construction, design and architecture teams worked closely together to create a public square that connects Riverside Quarter with the river while also providing a unique and striking space that retains, restores and carefully integrates the existing red brick chimney."

Future plans include a riverfront boardwalk to connect with the developing Bucksburn Corridor, a network of open spaces and paths incorporating play parks and nature.

4 Comments

#1 Posted by HMR on 18 Oct 2021 at 10:41 AM

Love the chimney. That housing design is grim

#2 Posted by AR on 19 Oct 2021 at 12:02 PM

HMR...a little thought before typing perhaps. These are peoples homes that they have worked hard for and your subjective view of them being grim is insulting. Typical trolling types like yo have little place. Without the new houses, the old chimney would have been toast so its a well done to the developer for retaining and ensuring the area is regenerated.

#3 Posted by FHM on 19 Oct 2021 at 15:03 PM

AR...they may be people's homes but criticising the awful, grim and banal design is not a reflection on the occupants. Also, judging by the Developer and Architect, they would have most likely wanted the chimney to go up in smoke so they could cram in another ticky tacky box onto the site.

#4 Posted by AM on 19 Oct 2021 at 22:21 PM

Well I won’t be drawn into a debate on this. All I will say is we are delighted with our hard earned home on a wonderful development where we have met and number of new friends all delighted with their houses and the place they now live.

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