Dundee is Scotland’s fourth largest retail centre. It is a vibrant and modern city proud of its traditions, history and people.
Since opening in 2000, Overgate has been a catalyst for change helping promote Dundee as a major retail and leisure destination. Overgate has almost doubled the amount of prime city centre retail space and has been credited with increasing Dundee’s retail position in Scotland from 8th to 4th, and drawing millions of visitors every year.
Owned and operated by Lend Lease the 420 000 square foot centre is designed over two floors and is the only single sided shopping centre in Europe.
Overgate has been constructed in a part of the city whose history extends back over 800 years. The development stands on an area that has had a retail tradition for many generations.
There have been retail buildings on the existing Overgate shopping centre site for at least 120 years. Prior to that there were many small shops and trading booths which helped make Overgate the most vibrant part of old Dundee.
At the heart of the area surrounding Overgate is one of Dundee’s historic landmarks, St Mary’s Church which was founded in 1191 by David, Earl of Huntingdon and brother of Scottish King William. The foundation of the church marks the official beginning of the city’s history. Overgate’s spectacular curved glass wall wraps itself around the city churches making its views unique.
Overgate’s curved two-storey glass wall has the effect of bringing the outside inside. In consumers minds this was one of the factors that would create an ideal shopping environment. Natural materials including limestone, glass and wood have been used to enhance the feeling of spaciousness and seamlessness with the landscaping outside. Creative use of lighting adds to the natural ambience of the centre whether by day or by night. The colours are earthy and based on the colours used in early Celtic designs —warm ochres and neutrals —creating a sense of warmth and a link with the city’s heritage.
On 30 October 1997 the Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee city centre was acquired by Lend Lease Projects Ltd. Demolition of part of the existing centre commenced in April 1998 with the first blow being struck by one of the city’s famous sons— cartoon character Desperate Dan. Half a million cubic metres of demolition materials in the form of timber, concrete and steel, were recycled and used for ground improvement sites and tidal protection projects.
The city’s Mercat Cross, the traditional meeting place in the old centre, was removed and stored for protection throughout construction, and has been integrated into the external landscaping of the new Overgate.
In the same way, 800 square metres of Caithness slabs and 700 square metres of granite sets originally laid around the church (enough to cover an area two and a half times the size of an international rugby pitch), were preserved and have been relaid as part of the new scheme.
Mature planting was also protected and incorporated alongside 40 new trees within 1 100 square metres of grass and shrubs.
In total, the new centre features two miles — longer than the Forth Road Bridge — of pipework for drainage and sprinklers and 15 000 square metres of floor and ceiling finishes.
Overgate opened its doors to the public once again in March 2000.