Grant Lodge in Elgin takes another step towards being brought back into use as Moray Council announces appointment of new design team
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A MAJOR step has been taken towards bringing Grant Lodge in Elgin back into use with the appointment of a new design team.
The historic building has remained empty for more than two decades after a fire in 2003.
But Moray Council has now appointed Page \ Park Architects to bring it back into use, concluding a near three month search for a team to carry out the task.
The local authority says that the firm was chosen due to its record of “breathing new life” into historic buildings.
The award winning team will lead the re-design and restoration of the building as part of the second phase of the £31m Cultural Quarter project which is part of the £100m Moray Growth Deal.
Construction is expected to take place between 2026 and 2028.
Once redeveloped, Grant Lodge will become the “principal gateway” to Cooper Park.
The council says it will also act as a “lynchpin” for the Cultural Quarter with connections to Elgin Museum, Elgin Cathedral, Elgin Library, Elgin Town Hall and beyond.
Eilidh Henderson, Project Director at Page \ Park Architects, said: “We’re thrilled to be appointed to lead the delivery of this transformative project at Grant Lodge.
“The Moray Growth Deal is a once in a generation investment in the future of the region, and we’re excited to get to work bringing this much-loved local building back to life.
“We believe deeply in celebrating the exemplar heritage in our unique towns and cities, and using heritage as an agent for local change and regeneration.
“Grant Lodge has a fascinating history, and we hope to work closely with the community and Moray Council to deliver a compelling vision for the next chapter in the life of the building.”
Councillor Marc Macrae, Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee, added: “Grant Lodge is an important part of Elgin’s heritage and it’s exciting to see this next phase of the Cultural Quarter project coming to life.
“The appointment of Page \ Park architects is a brilliant next step and I look forward to seeing how they revitalise and restore this gem of a building for the benefit of generations to come.”
With the appointment of the design team, there is now real hope among campaigners that the building is closer than ever to being restored to its former glory.
Grenville Johnston, Chair of the Grant Lodge Trust, said: “We’ve followed the progress of the Culture Board proposals with increasing hope that we would see this wonderful building return to use and this appointment is a major step in that progress.
“2026 and 2028 will be incredibly important for a great number of people who have backed this work.
“Grant Lodge Trust hope that volunteers will come forward to support the lodge once it’s back in use.”
Stuart Huyton, member of Friends of Grant Lodge, added: “In July this year it’ll be 21 years since a small fire resulted in the boarding up of Grant Lodge.
“Ever since, it’s lain empty and unloved, now a prominent eyesore in Cooper Park.
“The Friends of Grant Lodge was formed in 2011 and have been campaigning for the refurbishing and repurposing of the lodge ever since.
“Over the long years, there have been several occasions where plans were almost put into operation to bring the lodge back into use for the community of Elgin but these were always thwarted and so time has passed.
“Now, with the advent of the Growth Deal, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel as the lodge is part of the plan for the Cultural Quarter and Moray Council is about to appoint the architectural team to develop the designs for a rejuvenated Grant Lodge.
“This is good news indeed and we look forward to working alongside all parties.”
