A look into the future as City Hall designs go on display to public.

Architects’ plans go on view to the public who have been asked for feedback

Perth residents got a glimpse of the future when plans for the transformation of the City Hall went on public view yesterday.

The council hosted a public exhibition in the Civic Hall of their headquarters in Perth at which the proposals designed by Netherlands-based architects Mecanoo were laid out.

Those who visited had an opportunity to discuss matters with representatives of the design team as well as being able to leave feedback on how they felt about the plan.

Mecanoo was approved as the recommended architect by council chiefs in August last year. The company’s state-of-the-art designs, which will see the building revamped into a multi-million-pound visitor attraction, were the clear favourite among local residents and businesses during a previous consultation last year.

The company has worked on several cultural projects across the world, including New York public library. Mecanoo was also the preferred choice for Historic Environment Scotland.

Perth and Kinross Council has committed £20 million to a combined transformation of Perth city centre, which will include the City Hall. The

The public exhibition will illustrate the proposed approach to the redevelopment and there will be an opportunity to provide comment on feedback forms at the exhibition

local authority hopes the revamped historic hall could be the home to the Stone of Destiny.

It is anticipated that the transformed City Hall could attract an extra 272,000 visitors to Perth by 2023.

A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that public comments “may influence” the final design of the project, and stated that residents have up to May 25 to submit written comments on Mecanoo’s design.

“Transforming Perth City Hall into a modern cultural attraction will allow the council to deliver on one of the themes of Perth City Plan: Smart Growth for Perth City to grow the visitor economy of Perth,” she said.

“The City Hall will be a major new venue, displaying our own museum and art collections alongside iconic loans from elsewhere and touring exhibitions from the UK and abroad. It will also provide community and learning spaces and create a fantastic meeting point at the very heart of Perth.

“The chosen design will improve the public realm around the City Hall. Improvements to public space will provide for markets and events in the area and occupation of space for alfresco use.”

She continued: “The public exhibition will illustrate the proposed approach to the redevelopment and there will be an opportunity to provide comment on feedback forms at the exhibition, or to follow up with written comments.

“There will also be a formal opportunity to make representations to the council once a planning application has been submitted.”