A FORMER Aberdeen department store has been reborn as a restaurant and pizzeria after an extensive refurbishment.
The Esslemont Bar & Restaurant and Mac’s Pizzeria were opened in the former Esslemont & Macintosh building by Aberdeen multiple operator The McGinty’s Group.
The six-figure refurb, carried out with design studio Nicoll Russell Studios, saw the space transformed into two distinct venues. The Esslemont, on the building’s ground floor, offers a “relaxed and sophisticated dining experience” with capacity for 100 diners, a private dining area for 12 people and a separate bar area. On the first floor, Mac’s Pizzeria is a 120-seater restaurant with an open kitchen and bespoke pizza oven. There is a “semi-private area” for group bookings and kids parties of up to 14 people.
Allan Henderson, director of The McGinty’s Group, said the project had been “our biggest to date and it has been amazing to see the building transform into our vision and bring this landmark building back to life”.
“With two concepts in the one building, we are aiming to appeal to a wide audience whilst creating something new and exciting for the city, alongside helping to reinvigorate our main thoroughfare, Union Street, and increase footfall,” said Henderson.
