Multiple operator revamps former granite city department store
A FORMER Aberdeen department store has been reborn as a restaurant and pizzeria after a 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.
It had most recently housed the Aberdeen branch of Jamie’s Italian. But a six-figure refurb, carried out with design firm Nicoll Russell Studios, has seen the building transformed into two distinct venues.
Open seven days a week with food served all day, The Esslemont, on the building’s ground floor, offers a “relaxed and sophisticated dining experience” with capacity for 100 diners, a glass-fronted 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 designed to deliver classic Neapolitan-style pizza. There is a semi-private area for group bookings and kids parties of up to 14 people.
The pizzeria will operate a walk-in system on a day-to-day to basis for groups of eight or less.
Allan Henderson, director of The McGinty’s Group, said: “We are delighted to officially open The Esslemont and Mac’s Pizzeria. This project has 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.”
The two new venues take The McGinty’s Group’s number of outlets in the city to nine.
