The Academy Shopping Centre

The Academy Shopping Centre
Exterior of the shopping centre
Map
LocationAberdeen, Scotland
Opening dateNovember 1999
OwnerRoyal London Mutual Insurance Society Ltd
No. of stores and services11
No. of floors2
ParkingNone
WebsiteThe Academy (Archive)
Listed Building – Category B
Official nameFormer Aberdeen Academy building
Designated12 January 1967
Reference no.LB20081

The Academy Aberdeen, previously known as "The Academy Shopping Centre", is located on the corner of Belmont Street and Schoolhill in the main shopping district of Aberdeen, Scotland. As the name suggests, it is a former Victorian secondary school renovated into a modern shopping centre.[1][2][3]

The central courtyard of the centre has hosted many events such as fashion shows, dance displays, comedy shows, car displays and live music performances.[4] It is now used for al fresco dining.[5]

History

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The shopping centre building was constructed as the Central Senior Secondary School. The school opened in 1905 and catered for around 1,000 pupils aged from 12 to 15 years. In 1954 the school became selective by restricting admission to children who had passed the 11-plus examination; it was renamed Aberdeen Academy. The Academy closed in 1969 and pupils were transferred to Hazlehead Academy on the eastern outskirts of Aberdeen.[6][7] The shopping centre opened in 1998.[4]

Architecture

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The building containing the shopping centre dates to 1901 and was built in the Renaissance style. The building was designed by John Alexander Ogg Allan, the official architect to the Aberdeen School Board.[8] The building is Category B listed.[9] W A Brogden in Aberdeen: An Illustrated Guide describes the building as "full of imperial vigour".[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Academy Shopping Centre". list.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  2. ^ "The Academy Shopping Centre - The Academy Shopping Centre Belmont Street". showcase.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  3. ^ Findlay, Keith. "What next for The Academy in Aberdeen?". Press and Journal. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Live music". The Press and Journal. 29 September 1998. p. 40. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Aberdeen Shopping". conventionscotland.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Film shows progress of Academy centre". Evening Express. 9 December 1998. p. 9. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Central School (Aberdeen Academy)". www.silvercityvault.org.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Central Higher Grade School". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  9. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Schoolhill and Belmont Street, Former Aberdeen Academy Building (LB20081)". Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  10. ^ Brogden W A (1986). Aberdeen : An Illustrated Architectural Guide. Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and Scottish Academic Press. p. 30. ISBN 9780707304885. Retrieved 18 May 2023 – via Internet Archive.
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57°8′51″N 2°6′04″W / 57.14750°N 2.10111°W / 57.14750; -2.10111

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