WATCH: Union Court in Inverness is now complete
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Business guests were invited along to the launch of Union Court yesterday. The £12.5m development, which was started in 2020, is hoped to breathe fresh life into the centre of Inverness.
It hosts four commercial units facing onto Union Street, and two on Baron Taylor’s Street, which is anticipated to soon be filled with cafés, retail and offices.
The transformation of the former Arnott's department store is a passion project for the developer, Stuart Pender of Swilken Estates. He was born in Grantown-on-Spey, and has fond memories of coming into the shopping complex when he was young. He and his wife, are keen to bring a fresh product to the city centre, in the hope to revitalise the offering that is available for locals. The work was carried out on time and to budget, by Inverness-based IBI Joiners.
Speaking about the completed development, owner Mr Pender said: “Brian and his team from IBI Joiners have done a fantastic job of re-storing and refurbishing the building.
“We’ve kept the traditional feel to the property in the units on Union Street, and the units on Baron Taylor’s Street are more modern.
“We are positive that we will have all the units filled up by summer time.”
One unit is currently leased for 15 years, and there are 10 other active applications of interest.
Graham & Sibbald and Ewan Mackay are the estate agents for the units to let. Kenny McKenzie from Graham & Sibbald is positive that this new development will bring an increased footfall to Inverness.
He said: "Bringing new businesses with the right product to Union Court, will bring people into the centre.
“It looks great and it has been fitted out really well so it is a great offering for Inverness.”
For Brian Innes, director of IBI Joiners the project has been a great opportunity for his team, and the biggest development they have undertaken to date.
He explained: “The project has had its challenges, such as Covid, labour shortages and material costs rising, but I am extremely proud of how my team worked together to deliver this project.
“They all came together and worked hard to deliver it on time and on budget.
“As an Invernesian I remember when this was the Arnott’s building, so it’s great to have been apart of the transformation of it for the city.”
