Homes at Silkeborgvej 260

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Silkeborgvej 260 is the former municipal office of the former Åby municipality. The listed building was constructed in 1936 and, until 2007, housed various administrative functions for Aarhus Municipality. The local government reform, the structural reform and the subsequent consolidation of operations into fewer locations have enabled the municipality to sell the building and the surrounding land.

The old municipal office is being sold as part of a larger plot of 8,400 square metres, and in addition to the main building, there are several low-rise and ancillary buildings on the site.
The new local plan for the area provides for the removal of the ancillary buildings, which are not considered worthy of preservation, and their replacement with three tower blocks totalling 2,200 square metres of floor space.

The tower block closest to Silkeborgvej may be converted into a health centre or other professional services premises, whilst the remaining blocks are intended for residential use.
The former municipal offices are expected to be converted into 12 flats, whilst the new buildings are expected to accommodate around 20 flats.

The area adjoins Åby Library, and the local plan stipulates that the existing park between the old administration building and the library must be retained.

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The sale was the subject of some debate. The decision came at around the same time as the 2007 budget agreement resulted in the closure of the very same nearby Åby Library.
The prospect of losing virtually all local council representation in the area roused local residents, partly out of concern as to whether the many leisure activities in the area would still be able to be accommodated in local council buildings. However, that part of the debate died down following the ‘rescue’ of Åby Library.

A group of local doctors also wanted the local plan to set aside an area for a health centre, and for the plot to be sold to them without a tender process. However, there are very few instances in which local authorities can sell plots of land without a tender process, and despite this request, the plot was sold through a standard tender process.

There is currently no information about the buyer’s specific project, other than that it will be a combination of residential and commercial properties. The plot was taken over on 1 October 2007.