Union Street, Aberdeen

Union Street, Aberdeen

Union Street is a major street and shopping thoroughfare in Aberdeen, Scotland.

It was built, along with the adjoining King Street, in the beginning of the 19th Century under plans suggested by Charles Abercrombie to provide an impressive entrance way into the city, and nearly bankrupted the city when it was built [ [1] ] . Union Street in particular was intended to provide an impressive approach into the city from the south (and west); previously the route had been somewhat circuitous.

The street is approximately one mile long and a feat of engineering skill involving the partial levelling of St. Catherine's Hill and the building of arches to carry the street over Putachieside.

The Denburn Valley was crossed by Union Street by Union Bridge (constructed 1801–05), which has a single span arch of 130 feet (40 metres).

Markets

The street is sometimes closed for the Saturday International Market, and on Sundays in December (in the run up to Christmas) when it holds a fair. At this time elaborate Christmas lights are displayed on gantries above and across the street.

Shops

Some of the large shops on, or accessed directly from Union Street include Marks and Spencer, H&M, Topshop, HMV, Waterstones and Debenhams. Shopping centres include the Bon Accord-St Nicholas Centre and The Mall Trinity. In addition there are bars and a number of night-clubs on the street, plus a former cinema building, and a grand façade fronting the churchyard of the Kirk of St. Nicholas.

Pedestrianisation

As of 2008, Union Street is expected to be pedestrianised from Union Terrace Gardens to the Castlegate.

References

# [http://www.aberdeenarchitects.org/WilliamKelly.htm Union Bridge and Union Street's construction]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Union Bridge, Aberdeen — Union Bridge is a bridge on Union Street, Aberdeen, Scotland. It is the largest single span granite bridge in the world, at 130 feet (40 metres). It was built by Thomas Fletcher under some influence from Thomas Telford.Constructed from 1801–05 as …   Wikipedia

  • Union Street — may refer to:In the United Kingdom:*Union Street, Aberdeen, main shopping street in Aberdeen, Scotland *Union Street, Oxford *Union Street, Southwark *Union Street, PlymouthIn the United States of America*Union Street, San Francisco *Union Street …   Wikipedia

  • Union Terrace, Aberdeen — Union Terrace is a single carriageway street in the city centre of Aberdeen. At the south end, it has a junction with Union Street, along with Union Bridge and Bridge Street and at the north end, it has a junction with Rosemount Viaduct, with the …   Wikipedia

  • George Street, Aberdeen — George Street is a street in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland.At its northern end it meets the area of Kittybrewster. Running south and slightly east, George Street heads towards the city centre. The northern end of the street is predominantly… …   Wikipedia

  • King Street, Aberdeen — King Street is one of the main streets in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland.Its southern end is in the city centre and is also near the prestigious shopping street, Union Street. Heading northwards, the street skirts Old Aberdeen and the University… …   Wikipedia

  • Belmont Street (Aberdeen) — Belmont Street is a north south street in the centre of Aberdeen, Scotland.Belmont Street runs perpendicular to Union Street and is known for its vibrant nightlife. The street is also host to various shops, restaurants and a cinema.There is a… …   Wikipedia

  • Union Bridge — is a placename: * Union Bridge (Tweed), a bridge over the River Tweed in Scotland * Union Bridge, Maryland, a town in the United States * Union Bridge, Aberdeen, the world s largest single span granite bridge, over the Denburn valley, connecting… …   Wikipedia

  • Guild Street, Aberdeen — Guild Street is a main street in the city centre of Aberdeen, Scotland. Stations Guild Street has the Aberdeen Railway Station and the Aberdeen Bus Station situated on it. Other Facilities The street also has an entrance to The Mall Trinity and… …   Wikipedia

  • Aberdeen — City redirects here. For other uses see Aberdeen (disambiguation) and Aberdeen City (disambiguation). Coordinates: 57°09′09″N 2°06′36″W / 57.1526°N 2.1100°W …   Wikipedia

  • Aberdeen —    ABERDEEN, a city, and sea port town, the seat of a university, the capital of the county of Aberdeen, and the metropolis of the North of Scotland, 109 miles (N. N. E.) from Edinburgh, and 425 (N. by W.) from London; containing, with parts of… …   A Topographical dictionary of Scotland

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”