An iconic part of Dundee’s retail history has been left in ruins after the fire at the former Robertson’s furniture store at the weekend.
Nine fire crews tackled a huge blaze at the Barrack Street site – known as Willison House – on Saturday night.
Emergency services remain at the scene as an investigation into the cause continues.
But what does it mean for the building and its famous Art Deco facade, which is category B-listed?
Fire started deliberately
Reports of a major fire in the disused Robertson’s building emerged at around 6pm on Saturday.
Huge flames could be seen shooting from the building, with the fire visible from as far afield as Fife.
Police have since said the blaze was started deliberately and have hit out at the “reckless and dangerous” actions of those responsible.
Footage of the aftermath showed the structure has been left gutted following the fire.
Colourful history of Willison House
Willison House was built around 1934, having been designed by H Pierce Robbie.
Robertson’s furniture store opened in the building at 56 Barrack Street the same decade.
The firm sold items including sofas, beds, carpets, curtains and office furniture, including exclusive ranges.
In 1994, the structure was given category B listing by Historic Scotland.
Robertson’s eventually closed in 2011 after the company fell into administration.
Since then the building has lain empty and its windows were recently boarded up.
Plans for hotels, restaurants and flats
There have been several attempts to revive the site in the years since Robertson’s closed.
In 2015 Dundee City Council received a proposal from property developer Structured House Group (SHG) to demolish Willison House and replace it with student accommodation, a restaurant and a cafe.
But in 2016, a campaign group with about 100 members was formed to save the listed facade – with hundreds of people signing a petition.
SHG went back to the drawing board and, in 2017, lodged proposals for a £20 million project to transform the site building into two hotels and a licensed restaurant – this time maintaining the facade.
The project would have included the erection of a six-storey hotel with 115 bedrooms and a ground-floor restaurant.
A separate six-storey hotel with 100 bedrooms was also proposed.
Councillors approved those plans in March 2018 with predictions it would create more than 300 jobs.
Construction was expected to begin in July 2018 but it never took place and it remained disused.
The property was eventually put back up for sale in July 2021 and marketed as a “superb opportunity for an exceptional development”, with the suggestion it was ideal for student accommodation.
No details of a sale were ever confirmed but in February this year, Edinburgh-based KR Developments became the latest firm to propose plans for the site – lodging an initial notice with the council about student housing plans.
However, full and detailed proposals had yet to come forward by the time of Saturday’s fire.
What happens next?
The Buildings at Risk register is now describing Willison House as “ruinous” following the blaze and has classed its risk as “high”.
This means there is “no immediate danger of collapse but [its] condition is such that unless urgent remedial works are carried out the building will sharply deteriorate”.
Asked by The Courier what the fire means for its student housing proposals, a spokesperson for KR Developments said: “We were shocked to hear the news of this major fire and see the images on Saturday night.
“Fortunately there have been no reports of anyone having been injured.
“It’s concerning that a fire of this magnitude happened in the centre of Dundee and that the building has been so badly damaged.
“We had submitted a PAN (proposal of application notice) earlier this year to examine the redevelopment of the building, including retaining the listed facade.
“We’ve no idea at the moment what this means for our plans and that will all have to be worked through with the owners and other stakeholders.
“I am sure the circumstances around the fire will now be thoroughly investigated by Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland.”
