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Former Aberdeen Hilton to be transformed into ‘premium’ student complex

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How Aberdeen Student Show began...

In 1920, at the prompting of the authorities at  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary , the  Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of  Aberdeen University established a series of fund-raising events in aid of local hospitals; central to which was the annual Gala Week.

In 1921 the Gala Week opened with the first Student Show, a mock trial (of a breach of promise case) held in the  Aberdeen University Debating Chamber (“The Debater”) at  Marischal College .

The Gala Week Committee then invited the University Debating Society to stage an annual musical comedy or revue based on student life. The first of these, in 1922, ‘Stella the Bajanella’ was written by  Eric Linklater with music by JS Taylor. The Show then became an annual event, performed in various venues in Aberdeen, including the Training Centre Hall in St. Andrew Street, the Aberdeen College Hall and the Palace Theatre in 1927 and 1928, before finding a home in  His Majesty’s Theatre in 1929.

Since then it has occasionally been performed elsewhere in the city, when His Majesty’s Theatre was unavailable – the Aberdeen College of Education in 1981 and 1982, the  Music Hall Aberdeen in 2004 and His Majesty’s Theatre – Hilton (the former College of Education theatre) in 2005.

The Student Show has been produced every year in Aberdeen without a break since 1921, including throughout  World War II . The cast is made up of volunteer students. They rehearse each new show for four weeks during the Easter academic holiday. The following week they perform the show, generally in the evenings, in front of paying audiences.

It remains the longest-running student charity show of its kind in the UK.

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Gallery: Looking back at the passionate pupils of Hilton Academy

Hilton Academy was a school well-loved by its pupils with its premises in the heart of the community.

From school trips and art clubs to winning awards and working to better the world through charity efforts, youngsters could anticipate encouragement from their teachers and peers to fight for what they believed in.

Despite the school’s inevitable merge with  Powis  to become St Machar Academy, former attendees of the Hilton school  seem to remember their time there well .

Explore our nostalgia-filled gallery which shows off the unbeatable spirit of the school through fundraisers, speeches and even fond farewells.

Did you attend or teach at Hilton Academy? Can you spot any familiar faces below?

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Former Aberdeen Hilton Hotel to become student block in nearly £10million project

The controversial plans for the seven-story building had originally been rejected by the council in 2022, before being approved by the Scottish Government following an appeal

• 11:12, 20 JUN 2023
• Updated 16:12, 20 JUN 2023

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A former Aberdeen hotel is set to be transformed into student flats - with developers hoping to complete the renovation before next term.

Blackfinch Property has taken a £9.7million development loan, with a duration of 18 months, which will be used to convert the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, which ceased trading in 2020, on St Andrews Street into 105 rooms for students.

The controversial plans for the seven-story building had originally been rejected by the council in 2022, before being approved by the Scottish Government following an appeal.

READ MORE: 'Parking crisis' at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary forcing staff to arrive 'hours' before shift

In a statement, the developers said that 'only minimal work' will be needed to make the change, and that promised new jobs would be created.

It reads: "The site was formerly a Hilton Hotel that ceased trading in early 2020. As such, only minimal work is necessary to achieve the conversion to student accommodation.

"Upon completion, the scheme will offer 105 rooms, and associated communal space to bring students together. All rooms will be larger than the typical studio rooms available in purpose-built student accommodation schemes.

"The development plan fits neatly with Blackfinch Property’s commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.

"For example, there will be student cycle stores/bicycle racks to encourage environmentally-friendly travel.

"There will also be a broader social impact for Aberdeen, since opening the student accommodation complex will create a number of jobs in the local area, and the developer will be making a contribution to local healthcare provision, benefitting the wider community."

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David Diemer, investment director at Blackfinch Property, said: “Having originally worked with the borrower Optimal to refinance their original purchase of this site late last year, we were delighted to be able to conclude this development loan to ensure the conversion of the property to provide much-needed student accommodation.

"We had a tight deadline to allow the contractors to get on-site and work to have the rooms ready for the September 2023 academic year and new student intake.

"But the focus and professionalism of the borrower’s team enabled us to work towards the tight timescale and we share their vision for this exciting project.”

Tom O’Brien, former commercial and development finance broker at Ennesss Global and now a Partner at Portway Finance, said: “It was great working with the team at Blackfinch Property, first on the initial bridging loan and then the development finance that will fund the works to convert the building.

"he whole lending team worked with the borrower and ourselves throughout to make sure everyone was on the same page and up-to-date on any progress, which made the whole process very smooth. I look forward to working with the Blackfinch team again.”

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Hilton Campus redevelopment

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Issued on behalf of the University of Aberdeen and CALA Homes

A well-known Aberdeen landmark is a step closer to redevelopment following an agreement between the University of Aberdeen and CALA Homes.

A conditional contract has been signed between the University and CALA Homes to transform the Hilton Campus ­ home of the former Northern College and now the University's School of Education - into 400 homes.

Lord Sewel, Senior Vice Principal, the University of Aberdeen, said: "The University is delighted to have agreed upon a contract with CALA Homes, subject to planning. The plans put forward by the developers meet all the requirements of the planning brief, which was developed in consultation with City Council planners; the plans are sensitive to the site and, if given the go-ahead, will blend in well with neighbouring buildings."

The local community have been involved in the development of the planning brief, with many residents attending a public meeting organised by the University last November. The University made significant changes to the brief following concern expressed by some residents over the potential scale and density of residential development. The University agreed changes in terms of building heights to ensure there would be no overlooking or privacy problems for those residents whose houses directly back onto the site. The brief has also sought to minimise the impact of higher density development when viewed from outwith the scheme and was altered to show additional screen planting along Hilton Street in keeping with the existing landscaping.

Lord Sewel added that the proceeds of the sale of the Hilton Campus, for an undisclosed sum, would be used to accommodate the School of Education on the King's College Campus and some consequential moves.

The School of Education will relocate to the MacRobert Building, on the King's College campus, where renovation work has already begun, during the summer of 2005. The refurbished building will boast state-of-the-art facilities that will not only benefit the 1,400 full and part-time students within the School of Education but also students and staff across the University.

The refurbished MacRobert building will boast:

· An entire floor of ICT facilities, available on a 24-hour basis;

· Additional performance space;

· State-of-the-art meeting and lecture facilities;

· Enhanced facilities for post-graduate research and continuing professional development (CPD); and

· Additional catering facilities.

"There is no doubt that students from the former Hilton campus will benefit from being based within the wider campus at Old Aberdeen," said Cathy Macaslan, Head of the University's School of Education. "Our new facilities will enhance teaching provision and continuing professional development across Scotland."

Gerry More, Managing Director of CALA Homes (East) Limited said: "CALA was founded in 1875 as the City of Aberdeen Land Association so our roots are in Aberdeen and we are particularly pleased to be working with the University on this prestigious development, which will offer an innovative mix of new build detached homes, townhouses and apartments in addition to refurbished accommodation.

"Our extensive experience in projects of this nature, which call for sensitivity in both design and approach, includes Greenbank Village in Edinburgh and Grandholm Village in Aberdeen.

"I am confident that the homes we hope to build at Hilton Campus will prove as popular as those at Grandholm and Greenbank Villages."

Senior Vice Principal Lord Sewel will be available for interview from 12pm to 12:45pm, and 3.30pm onwards. Please contact Jill in the first instance.

To arrange interviews with Gerry More, MD of CALA Homes (East) Ltd, please contact Ilya Scott, at Real PR, on 0141 572 5373.

Issued by Jill Moir, Communications Office, External Affairs, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: (01224) 272012 or 07776 473429 Fax: (01224) 272086.

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Our History

Find out more about North East Scotland College.

The origins of NESCol

North East Scotland College was formed on November 1st 2013, when the official merger between Aberdeen College and Banff & Buchan College took place. Rob Wallen, the then Principal and Chief Executive of Aberdeen College, was designated as Principal of the new North East Scotland College.

The merger marked a momentous change in the provision of Further Education in the North East of Scotland.

As one institution, the College provides an even wider range of education and training opportunities across the region, meeting the needs of individuals, communities and employers, whilst continuing to demonstrate the quality and excellence which were the hallmarks of our founding institutions.

Our founding institutions

The origins of Aberdeen College lie in three separate institutions: Aberdeen Technical College, Aberdeen College of Commerce and Clinterty Agricultural College.

The origins of Banff and Buchan College date back to 1936, when vocational evening classes were offered in affiliation to the then Robert Gordon’s Technical College at the College’s site in Fraserburgh.

Despite the number of changes to further education in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire over the years, North East Scotland College still operates with one true aim: ensuring we offer quality, efficiency and accessibility in the services we offer to the communities we serve.

Learn more about NESCol

We have 7  campuses and learning centres spread throughout Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.

We have a wide range of facilities and the very best of learning environments.

Further information on what happens after successfully completing your College course.

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Through 100% tuition-paid program options, education and new skills are within reach.*

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Up to $5,250/year for undergraduate degrees and tuition-free certificates in the Guild catalog

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**Guild’s survey responses from random and representative Guild learners (TA+TR) over the last 12 months as of 07/01/2023.

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Count on Guild support for answers and guidance, helping you get set up, make a plan, and stay motivated.

Guild Specialists can walk you through your benefit, help you explore programs, and more

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**Guild’s survey responses from random and representative Guild Learning Marketplace new learners over the last 12 months as of 07/01/2023.

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Look closer at the value and attainability of a college education

Alarm over sticker price overlooks many nuances of college affordability

It would be great if we had a college pricing system that was transparent, sensible, and affordable. Unfortunately, that largely doesn’t exist. But it also does not help when scare tactics are used in identifying the failures of the system. Susan D’Agostino’s April 19 op-ed falls into that trap (“Six reasons why $90,000 college costs are bad news even if few pay that amount”).

I agree with D’Agostino that colleges do a poor job of communicating their pricing. Lower- and middle-income students have a tough time understanding need-based financial aid. Higher-income students do not know that they are likely to receive merit awards that reduce the sticker price at many institutions. For many students and families, the ultimate price that they pay is still beyond what they can afford.

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However, except for students from higher-income families who attend highly selective institutions, very few students pay the sticker price. So harping on the $90,000 figure just confuses students further. It is the net price of college that reflects what students really have to pay, not the sticker price. Yes, that includes loans — a concern D’Agostino raises. When the net price is higher, students may borrow more. But for most students at most institutions, they should disregard the sticker price.

Finally, I strongly disagree with D’Agostino’s argument that financial aid is not “an antidote to exorbitant college costs.” More financial aid is the solution. Those institutions charging the highest sticker prices and meeting full need have very large endowments. They provide the most financial aid. They are the least expensive schools for lower- and middle-income students to attend (if the student can get in) because they have the resources to make that happen. Other institutions are less equipped or unable to do that because they don’t have the money. That money needs to come from somewhere, meaning either greater direct support from the state or more federal funding for financial aid. Along with better communication from the schools themselves, that is what is needed to solve the problem.

Phillip B. Levine

The writer is the Katharine Coman and A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Economics at Wellesley College and the author of “A Problem of Fit: How the Complexity of College Pricing Hurts Students — and Universities.”

Hard-working applicants shouldn’t be blinded by neon dollar signs

Families making the life-changing decision about college deserve better than misleading headlines about cost, especially when the message could make a hard-working, smart student think college isn’t worth it.

The headlines may draw clicks, but as Yvonne Abraham pointed out in a recent Metro column, for most families, college is not going to cost them $90,000 a year. In reality, it is less than half for most students, and for many low-income students, far less than that.

Other headlines question whether college is really worth it. But even critical stories often cite the obvious: For most students, it is life-changing on numerous levels. College graduates age 22 to 27 earn $24,000 a year more than their peers who did not get a degree, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York . By age 55, the college graduate is earning 60 percent more annually than the peer without a degree. College graduates are more likely to be employed ; to have paid vacation, sick time, and health insurance ; and in general to report that they are happier with their lives.

For their sake and the sake of our economy and the Commonwealth’s competitiveness, let’s hope kids considering college don’t just read the alarming headlines and opt out of transformative opportunities.

Rob McCarron

President and CEO

Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts

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