Local property developer, Ark Estates - headed up by ex-Dingwall Academy pupil Willie Gray - has handed over the keys to a new 30 flat residential development in the heart of the town to The Highland Council, who will manage the new housing stock.
The CH Architecture & Oberlanders Architects-designed building, which lead contractor O’Brien Homes delivered for Ark Estates, is set to breathe new life into Dingwall city centre, providing a welcoming and contemporary residential area in the heart of the busy market town. As part of the redevelopment, two historic properties which face onto Dingwall High Street were restored and refurbished with the new residential blocks to the rear accessed by a passageway, opening on to a landscaped pedestrian plaza.
The multi-million pound project comprises 30 one and two bedroom flats and two retail units occupying a prime location in Dingwall’s main pedestrianised shopping street. One of the residential units has already been occupied by Ruth’s Foot Clinic while the residential units are set for occupation in Q4, 2021 managed by The Highland Council and available to people on the Highland Housing Register.
Speaking at the official handover on September 30th, ARK Estates Managing Director, Willie Gray, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to bring this exciting new development for Dingwall to fruition. We have had to deal with site lockdowns due to Covid and the complications that brought but O’Brien Homes, Torrance Partnership, Ramsay & Chalmers and CDMM have done an excellent job in delivering the building.
“The development will provide high quality housing for the area as well as two attractive small commercial units. The transformation of this part of Mart Road and the High Street will hopefully be a catalyst for further development and much-needed regeneration in the town.”
Highland Council Housing Manager North, Rory MacLeod, said, “The thirty flats are a much-needed addition to our Housing stock, which will provide new homes in the centre of Dingwall.”
Local Councillor, Graham Mackenzie, said: “It is a real enhancement to the town centre and I hope the new tenants will be happy in their new homes.”
Councillor, Angela MacLean, added: “I was particularly impressed that the ground floor flats are level access making it much easier for those tenants with varying needs. The quality of the
design, the construction and the central location are going to make these flats ideal homes.”
The two residential blocks that form the development have been named ‘Morganti House’ after a well known local restaurant and ‘Ross Buildings’ in a nod to the previous Council Service Point on the High Street.
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Editor’s notes:
Established in 2003, ARK Estates is a property investment and development company which leases property from its own diverse portfolio which includes retail, commercial, industrial and residential premises in a variety of locations in Scotland.
ARK Estates offers a full development service to clients. They have provided strategic advice and property consultancy services to housing, public sector and corporate clients as well as individuals.
ARK Estates can help clients identify appropriate and realistic development or regeneration opportunities and can offer a ‘turn-key’ service to turn a client’s vision into reality. ARK Estates can provide assistance from strategy, through the initial appraisals, valuations and planning negotiations through to development management onsite.
William Gray, Managing Director of ARK Estates Scotland, has been involved in property management and services for more than thirty years and the company has enjoyed significant growth as it has taken advantage of market niches, local knowledge and national contacts.
Clients include both national and local businesses looking for solutions to accommodation problems as well as individuals looking for investment opportunities. ARK Estates has also worked with joint venture partners to develop a site or business opportunity. The coordination of government agencies and business is a big part of ARK Estate’s business, working with a variety of local and national professional companies.