new post office planned for aberdeen

The above is a block plan of the site of the proposed new Post Office, showing the bend of Crown Street, the tramway lines (with the single line past the Post Office), the ground available for future extension of the Post Office, and the line proposed by the Town Council. The area of the proposed building, extending between Crown Street and Dee Street, and printed in solid black, is 2754 square yards, while the further area available in Crown Street for the extension of the Post Office is 860 square yards. The extent to which the Town Council desire the Post Office Department to set back the building is indicated the heavy dotted line (continued in white through the Post Office plan). It is contended by the Town Council that the new line need not interfere with the elevation to Crown Street as prepared the Board of Works.

Some internal rearrangement would necessary in the shortened building, but in order to make up for the ten feet taken off, it is suggested that the Department might at once utilise the ground reserved for future extension. It is pointed out that there would little use in keeping this space lying vacant for years probably when it might be at once made available for allowing the setting back of the main line. If the whole site were thus used, would give the Post Office a splendid frontage to Crown Street of about 240 feet, straighten the line of the building, and add ten feet to the width of the thoroughfare. It is said that if the line were put back the whole of the present plans, which are understood to be ready, would have to be recast. We are certain that Mr A. M. Mackenzie or Mr R. G. Wilson would be able to make the necessary adaptations in a week or less. It may take the officials of the Board of Works six or eight months, but even if it does, it would be better to incur the delay than to have the building and street spoilt. In any case, the plea of the Department that they cannot afford to give off the required space is scarcely tenable in view of the fact that it proposed to allow an area of 860 square yards along the main frontage to lie vacant.

Source : The Aberdeen Weekly Journal Wednesday August 29th, 1900