Step closer for new city centre homes
The Highland Council and Highland Housing Alliance are another step closer towards the construction of Wyvern House on Academy Street, Inverness as the demolition of the existing building nears completion.
Work at 79 Academy Street, formerly known as Farm Foods, is progressing well and as clearing the site draws to an end, the scene is set to transform the prime city centre site into 37 new 1 and two bedroomed flats for rent along with commercial units.
This project to bring life back to a derelict site and create new affordable city centre homes, funded by a package including money from The Highland Council, Highland Housing Alliance (HHA), the Scottish Government and the Highland City Region Deal, complements the regeneration work already underway on Academy Street.
Councillor Trish Robertson, Vice Chair of The Highland Council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee and a Director on Highland Housing Alliance Board said: “It is exciting to see the redevelopment of this prime city site move a step forward. It comes hot on the heels of the redevelopment of 92-94 Academy Street across the road and the refurbishment of the former CAB offices into new homes so when completed Wyvern House is really going to play it’s part in enhancing this part of the city by providing new homes and new business opportunities.”
The contractor is Morrison Construction and the next stage will involve arrival of the crane and delivery of the new build system.
Morrison Construction, Managing Director of Building Highland, Donald Mclachlan, said: ‘‘It’s an exciting milestone for this prestigious design and build project. Demolition and site clearance works that began late last year are nearing completion with the main contract set to begin in April.
‘‘We are delighted to be working again with The Highland Council to deliver this development in the heart of Inverness, which will see our experienced team provide new homes and retail spaces.”
In the 50’s and 60’s the site was the premises of the SMT Vauxhall Garage and one of its best-selling models at the time was the Wyvern car. A Wyvern is a legendary creature with a dragon's head and wings that often appears in heraldry and features in many Celtic images.