Started on site: January 2019
Completed: February 2020
Project Costs: £533,500
The buildings of 49 – 53 Bridge Street, Banff are Category B listed and had been in a derelict state. On 21st January 2019, the North East Scotland Preservation Trust (NESPT) started work on restoring the buildings to bring them back into use as accommodation for tourists on learning breaks at the newly opened Centre for Excellence in Silversmithing and Jewellery in Banff.
49-53 Bridge Street is situated within the Banff Conservation Area and was on the Buildings at Risk Register. The Historic Environment Scotland listing states that it dates from the late 18th century and that it is a 2-storey, irregular 4-bay range with pend entrance at right. The Statement of Special Interest says that it has an unusual shop front dating from 1835 and incorporating pilasters with composite capitals. These are similar in design to those decorating the former Banff Academy, a stylistic feature much used by William Robertson, architect, Elgin. The front wallhead chimney stack is characteristic of some early houses in Banff and Portsoy.
The completed project sees the creation of the Silversmith’s Quarters, three one-bedroom townhouses. They are let to Vanilla Ink, the operators of the Silversmithing Centre.
Development costs: £54,780
Capital cost: £478,720
Completed Project
