The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Demolition begins as city waves goodbye to fire-ravaged building
The demolition of the fire-hit former Robertson’s furniture store in Dundee is under way. The historic Art Deco building on Barrack Street, known as Willison House, was destroyed in a deliberate blaze at the weekend and was left at risk of collapse.
Owners of the building say they remain committed to developing the site following the devastating fire.
Structured House Group, the development company which owns the building, said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” to see it destroyed.
A spokesman for the group said: “Thankfully the emergency services reacted quickly and we are grateful that no-one was hurt bringing the fire under control.
“Our thanks again go to all the emergency services involved.
“Our priority at the moment is to support Dundee City Council with whatever actions they feel are necessary to ensure the safety of the public and reopen restricted areas.
“We are liaising with our insurers and the council at this early stage. However, the priority at the moment is making the site safe.”
Surrounding roads have been closed since Saturday night’s fire and bulldozers moved in yesterday morning.
Locals watched on as much of the stone structure, dating from the 1930s, was torn down in a matter of minutes including the B-listed facade.
Catherine Hill, 86, said: “I am sorry to see it go. There are many parts of Dundee that have been demolished over the years.
“You can’t rebuild it obviously but I think they should ask the people of Dundee what should happen (at the site) now.”
Charlie Mcdonagh, 66, told The Courier: “It’s a sad day. Dundee has lost a really good building but it should have been redeveloped long before now.
“This is what happens if you just leave buildings like that.
“The city has changed four or five times in my lifetime and I think we need new ideas now.”
Rosie Coutts, 44, described it as a “lovely building”.
She added: “There is a lot of lovely architecture in Dundee and I think it’s symbolic of that neglect, really. It was shocking to see a fire that big in Dundee and you wonder about the reasons behind it.”
Dundee City Council said on Tuesday that the building could not be saved but did not confirm how long the full demolition process will take.
It came after fire chief Serge Kabamba told The Courier on Monday how the building was showing “potential signs of collapse”.
Preparation work was carried out on Tuesday for the demolition, including spreading large piles of dirt on the road outside.
The site was most recently the subject of plans for student accommodation.
However, the firm behind those plans – KR Developments – says it has “no idea at the moment” what the fire and loss of the building will mean for that development.
“Dundee has lost a really good building