One of Dundee’s architectural gems could be given a new lease of life as a boutique hotel.
Dundee City Council has confirmed that talks have taken place about leasing Camperdown House for use as a hotel.
The building, in the grounds of Camperdown Park, was renovated in 2011. It is normally only opened for large scale events such as the annual Flower and Food Festival.
“Tentative talks” have taken place with operators looking to bring the neo-Classical mansion back into permanent use.
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “Camperdown House is currently being marketed with offers being invited for a long lease of the premises.
“Uses may include a boutique hotel, high quality restaurant, conference centre, wedding venue or a combination of uses.
“There have been a number of tentative inquiries but none has advanced beyond the discussion stage.”
He added: “Camperdown House is an Ionic Greek revival mansion built of sandstone over two storeys. It also has an attic and basement levels.
“Internal and external period features are still in place including a stained glass dome, marble chimney pieces, original timber door pieces, cornicing and columns.
“It was the subject of maintenance work totalling £800,000 in 2011.”
West End councillor Richard McCready has long called for the building to be opened to the public more often. But he said steps must be taken to ensure that everyone in Dundee can still get access to the building.
He said: “I am not opposed to a commercial use for Camperdown but there has to be some element of free, or at least relatively inexpensive, access to the public of Dundee.
“Perhaps it could be a coffee shop or perhaps a few rooms which tell the story of the house, Admiral Duncan and the Battle of Camperdown which is important to the city and to the country.”
Dundee City Council published a report in 2012 which stated that talks have been held in the past about the use of the building as a privately-run boutique hotel.
It acknowledged that there are a number of “heritage-related, legal, political and commercial issues” which would need addressed before a private venture at this “sensitive location” could be progressed.
The park is controlled by the terms of the Confirmation Act which maintains rights to public access and restricts private control of land and buildings there.