(Inset) Union Street West looking towards Holburn Junction. This Section of the Street was originally known as Union Place. The Spire is that of Gilcomston South Church. Note the Railings round the Basements of the Houses with Vaulted Staircases over.
Union Place Area Map
Union Place was an Extension to Union Street West and consisted mainly of Residential Accommodation with Vaulted steps from the Pavement to a Mezzanine Floor and steps down to a Basement – formerly Servants Accommodation. It ran from Bon Accord Terrace to Alford Place & Holburn Junction – (formerly Wellington Place) and past Chapel Street & Rose Street. The new Waterhouse or Reservoir was a large Facade with a Pend leading to a Fire Engine House. This Waterhouse now forms No.s 478-484 Union Street. There was a Reservoir in the upper part of the Waterhouse, from which the water was distributed through the Town by Gravitation and there was Accommodation for Firemen on the Ground Floor with a Fire Engine House in the rear Court.
This George Roberts Upholstery Shop is located at 474 Union Street. It features at this address in the 1910-11 Post Office directory for Aberdeen – formerly Union Place. The Basement access, Vaulted steps & metal railings are all long gone from the building. This is the case of most of the Buildings around this area. There are some that remain further East along Union Street. The edge of a Building that can be seen on the extreme left of the photo is that of the distinctive Waterhouse.
Thomson’s Shop for Home Made Chocolates, the ‘Better Value’ Confectioners with an extensive Shopfront at 402-408 Union Street adjacent to Gilcomston South Church on the right at the Junction with Summer Street. In around 1937, the Shop was known as “Sweetie Thomson’s” and that it was every child’s Dream Store. Beyond on the same side is Roger Baxter‘s Shop and J Connon’s Hairdresser, Jenson & Ledingham Opticians & a Ladies & Gents Tailor.
OS Map 1869 Aberdeen Town Centre, Sheet LXXV (includes: Aberdeen; Newhills; Old Machar)
Doric Columns 