A leading Scottish architectural practice has been appointed to design the £80.4m scheme to convert Marischal College into Aberdeen City Council's new corporate headquarters.

Holmes Partnership, which has offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, will act as lead consultant on the Marischal Project, as part of a team comprising Arup Scotland as the civil and structural engineer and Wallace Whittle as building services engineer.

The project includes the preservation of the 100 year old A-listed Marischal College façade, the demolition of St Nicholas House and the creation of a new civic square.

The Marischal College programme target is for staff to move into the new building during the first quarter of 2011.

Harry Phillips, chairman of Holmes and project leader, said: "We at Holmes are delighted to have been appointed as architects for this truly exceptional project.

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"The redevelopment of Marischal College is one of the most exciting schemes in the country and we look forward to delivering a magnificent new facility for Aberdeen City Council."

Stewart Webster, of Arup Scotland, said: "Working with the client and other members of the team, we will bring all our experience as one of the country's top structural engineers to deliver this landmark project."

The team brings to the Marischal Project a wealth of experience in carrying out sensitive conversions of fine buildings, which have involved replacing their interiors with modern developments and retaining their historic facades.

Holmes turned the A-listed former bank in the heart of Glasgow's commercial district at 110 St Vincent Street into a spectacular office development, with new floors and a rooftop glass extension.

Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Kate Dean said: "The appointment of these firms, who are among the leaders in their fields, puts in place a real A-Team worthy of converting our A-listed Marischal College."

In July Aberdeen City Council re-confirmed its commitment to the Marischal Project and capped the budget at £80.4 million. Council properties surplus to requirements will be sold off to help meet the bill.

The scheme will involve the demolition of the Marischal College interior, which will be replaced by a 21st century office building providing 174,000 sq ft of modern office space over four floors for up to 1,300 city council staff.

The conversion will create 200 parking spaces, ensure the retention of all the granite elevations, and provide a new, predominantly open-plan interior of contemporary, hi-tech and sustainable design.

(GK/JM)