Restored historic building in Inverness nominated for Scottish Home Awards
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The regeneration of a derelict building in Inverness city centre has received national recognition.
Historic Merchant House in Castle Street has recently been redeveloped as much-needed housing.
It has now been short-listed for the Scottish Home Awards in the Housing Regeneration Project of the Year and Renovation of the Year categories.
The B-listed building, which is overlooked by Inverness Castle, had run into a state of disrepair over recent years and had created an eyesore for the local community.
It has been redeveloped by the Highland Housing Alliance (HHA) with funding from Highland Council, the Scottish Government and Inverness City Region Deal.
Forming part of the 18th Century Castle Street frontage, the site has been transformed into one and two-bedroom apartments with a 1000 sq ft commercial unit on the ground floor which is set to become a deli in the summer.
Many of the original features of Merchant House have been retained including the facade which was removed stone by stone, placed into storage and then rebuilt in the original layout to ensure the building retained its well-established identity in the city.
A first-of-its-kind approach to re-development in Inverness, the restoration also includes conservation of the staircase and the addition of a courtyard with communal space and recycling points.
Gail Matheson, managing director at HHA, said Merchant House represented one of the organisation's most ambitious developments working closely with Highland Council and Compass Building and Construction Services.
"Now providing new city centre rental opportunities, we have received high praise from the local community and the nod from Scottish Homes Awards has been an added bonus," she said.
"We are looking forward to the ceremony in June and whilst we hope to take home gold, both categories feature strong short-lists and we wish all nominees the best of luck.
"It is fantastic to see the wealth of regeneration projects that have completed throughout Scotland in 2023."
Highland Council's housing and property committee chairwoman, Councillor Glynis Sinclair, said Merchant House was an exemplary renovation project demonstrating the importance of restoration and partnership.
"The sympathetic, yet innovative project design brings vibrancy and positive change to a part of the city steeped in history," she said.
"It is wonderful that the dedication of the professional team involved has led to two nominations at this prestigious event and I wish everyone involved the best of luck.
"The challenges facing the construction industry right now are fierce and felt widely, which makes the delivery of Merchant House with all the restoration complexities all the greater."
The Scottish Home Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday June 22 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central.
