Dundee University puts £825,000 principal's house and cottage up for sale

Dundee University has put its former principal’s house and cottage up for sale as it struggles to address a £35m financial crisis.

University House and Elmslea Cottage in the city’s west end are both up for sale for offers over £825,000.

The three-bed Victorian home and attached gate-house cottage were listed for with Savills estate agency on Thursday morning as the university continues to tackle a serious financial crisis.

The institution revealed earlier this year that it is facing a £35m shortfall and planned to cut 632 “full-time equivalent” jobs across all departments. University bosses later revealed that these cuts would likely impact around 700 individuals.

University House and Elmslea Cottage in the city's west end are both up for sale for offers over £825,000. — University House and Elmslea Cottage in the city’s west end are both up for sale for offers over £825,000. Google Maps

The University previously said it would also look at selling off intellectual property rights and parts of its estate – such as University House.

In recent weeks, the Scottish Funding Council approved £22m of emergency funding for the institution, as well as launching an external investigation into how the situation materialised.

University House is described as a “magnificent Italianate style Victorian townhouse”, dating from about 1865.

The property agent described it as a “rare chance to acquire two B Listed properties in a 1.5 acre site in one of Dundee’s prime real estate areas”.

“The options for development span a variety of sectors from multi-residential to hotel/leisure or indeed, the main property could be restored to its former glory as a single private house,” the property agent added.

The Elmslea Cottage gatehouse is included in the listing. Google Maps

The home also features views from the upper floors through the garden trees and over the Tay to Fife.

The property is resplendent with an entrance vestibule, ornate cornicing, panelled walls, tiled floors, impressive hallways, and a drawing room with an ornate ceiling and marble fireplace.

Both University House and Elmslea Cottage are category B-listed and sit within the local West End Suburbs conservation area.

The house was previously home to former principal Prof Iain Gillespie, who resigned in December, and his predecessor Andrew Atherton who quit in 2019.

The property is owned by the university and was leased to its principals.

Elmslea Cottage, which is included in the sale, is the building’s original gate lodge and includes three bedrooms of its own.