Inverness residents were granted a first glimpse of a new city centre development from Ark Estates at 99 Church Street when scaffolding was removed from the building as it nears completion. Occupying a prime location in the heart of Inverness, 99 Church Street comprises 10 one-bedroom flats for mid-market rental through the local authority, as well as a purpose-built ground floor retail unit.
The eye-catching four-storey development has been designed by Colin Armstrong Architects to replace a previous much-altered building which had varying floor levels split over three floors and limited access to much of the floorspace. IBI Joiners were the principal contractor on the city centre build.
Speaking about the multi-million pound development, Ark Estates Managing Director, Willie Gray, commented: “It’s great to see the scaffolding down on at 99 Church Street as we enter the final weeks of construction. We are delighted to have delivered this building in a prime city-centre location, which not only introduces new high-quality housing stock into the area but also a purpose-built ground floor retail unit which is far more suitable for modern use than what preceded it.”
The new building contains a single-floor retail unit of traditional proportions and design. The 74 sq m Class 1 space will be let empty, ready to be fitted as desired by the tenant. It benefits from a fully glazed frontage onto Church Street, one of the busiest shopping areas in Inverness.
On the upper floors ten flats will take on the traditional feel of other buildings from the same era on Church Street. Each flat has one bedroom with a separate bathroom, living/dining room and kitchen. All upper level flats will have lift access and all units will have an outlook onto either Church Street or Bank Street, Inverness.
Speaking about 99 Church Street, Inverness Provost and Inverness Area Committee Chair, Cllr Helen Carmichael, said: “This promises to be an exciting and much-needed retail and residential development which will enhance the city centre of Inverness.”
Allan Maguire, Head of Development & Regeneration at Highland Council, commented: “This is yet another great example of the public and private sectors working together to regenerate the city centre, stimulating the economic recovery of the city and providing new high-quality homes.”
99 Church Street has been designed to fulfil the criteria of the Inner Moray Firth Development Plan, the Inverness City Centre Development Brief and the Highland Historic Environment Strategy.