Moray Council seeking a design team for Grant Lodge in Cooper Park, Elgin
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Moray Council has launched the tender process to attract a design team to take forward plans for Elgin’s Grant Lodge.
The Grade B-listed building in Cooper Park has been closed ever since a fire in 2003.
The local authority is looking to bring it back into use as part of the £31million Cultural Quarter being created in Elgin.
Today's announcement regarding the search for a design team is being hailed as progress.
A council spokesperson said: "The new cultural attraction and heritage venue at Grant Lodge will see the much-loved building, formerly the town’s library, rejuvenated.
"The design team must bring the vision to life including new accessible spaces for recreation, leisure and tourism.
"An important public asset, Grant Lodge will have a civic purpose combined with commercial potential and become a meeting place for Moray.
"A place for celebration and relaxation, this new culture and tourism exchange will host activities while linking with interests, attractions, heritage sites, and experiences across the region."
A full condition survey of Grant Lodge was carried out last year by conservation architects at LDN.
During 2023 Moray Council also undertook extensive public engagement on the building's future and on the Cultural Quarter as a whole.
It's being stated that the successful applicant for the design contract will be responsible for "leading public engagement as concepts are developed, and undertaking further investigations to support the development".
Marc Macrae (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, Conservative) chairs the council's economic development committee.
He said: "Grant Lodge has been on the ‘Buildings at Risk’ register for a number of years now.
"I know there is a keen appetite for it to be brought back into use. We needed to make sure that was done in a sustainable way and I believe this project is going to be the perfect way for Grant Lodge to be enjoyed for many generations to come by locals and visitors alike.
"To be part of that process will be an exciting prospect for many design teams across the country. I fully expect there to be a clamour of innovative bids on this one.
"I look forward to seeing how the successful team restores this gem of a building for future use."
The redesign of Elgin Town Hall and a "future phase of hotel accommodation" makes up the rest of the Cultural Quarter project, which will be centred around the area between the cathedral and the town hall.
Both the Scottish and the UK government are helping to fund the Cultural Quarter which, in turn, is part of the Moray Growth Deal, which was signed nearly five years ago in July 2019.
John Lamont, UK Government Minister for Scotland, said: "It's great to see the progress that is being made on Elgin's Grant Lodge.
"The lodge is a fantastic example of the Moray Growth Deal in action, taking a derelict building and helping to restore it so the whole community can benefit from it as a recreation, leisure and tourism hub.
"I look forward to seeing the creative designs for its future.
"I am pleased this project is being supported by £3.5million UK Government investment as part of £32.5million investment in the Moray Growth Deal."
Richard Lochhead is Moray's MSP as well as the Scottish Government Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade.
He said: "I welcome progress on bringing one of Elgin’s most valuable, listed buildings back into use and support local businesses and jobs.
"Grant Lodge will help showcase Speyside’s world-class food and drink and promote its culture and tourism sectors.
"Through the Moray Growth Deal, the Scottish Government and partners are revitalising an important heritage site for local people and visitors to enjoy and building a more prosperous regional economy."
Read about the history of Grant Lodge HERE.
The tender is available on Public Contract Scotland (reference FEB498834) with a deadline of March 18.
