City hall timeline

2005 – The hall became vacant as it lacked the layout and facilities needed for modern use. A consultation and tender process took place.

2006 – A plan for a mixed use retail development was given the go-ahead by the council.

2009 – The development failed due to the inability of the developer to secure funding.

2010 – An independent economic assessment by Locum and Colliers confirmed the demolition of the hall and the creation of a civic square as the most beneficial option for the local economy. 2011 – The council gave planning consent for a civic square.

2012 – Due to its listed building status, a consent to demolish the hall was required by Historic Scotland, which was turned down. The council had to remarket the building.

2013 – After a 15-month period, only one bid was received. This was independently assessed and found to be “lacking in detail in relation to proposed commercial terms, business case and funding arrangements”.

2014 – Planning and listed building applications were received relating to proposals for a hotel on the site. The council’s development management committee approved these in May. In June a meeting of full council agreed to remarket the hall for long term lease for a further six-month period.

2015 – Five proposals were received. These were evaluated by independent commercial property expert Jones Lang Lasalle who concluded three of the bids were non-compliant with guidelines. The remaining two were brought forward for consideration and at a meeting in October 2015 councillors agreed to select Perth Market Place Ltd (PMP) as the preferred bidder .

2016 – On February 24 councillors were informed the bidder had not fully met preconditions. They agreed to suspend negotiations with PMP. A report on the options available was brought back to council on June 22. Councillors agreed to formally end lease negotiations.

2017 – On April 13 the council announced the five shortlisted architectural firms in the competition to redesign the hall. The shortlisted architects’ initial design concepts went on public display and comments were invited.

On August 16, councillors appointed Mecanoo to design the new building.