The namesake for Aberdeen’s main thoroughfare is the Acts of Union 1800. This combined Great Britain and Ireland into the United Kingdom. Union Street’s nickname is the Granite Mile because most of the buildings are faced with grey granite. This was a huge city development effort during the early 19th century. It is lined with stores, shopping centers and restaurants. But it is showing its age bordering on being rundown, especially between Union Terrace and Holburn Street. The city council wants to revitalize the area but few actions have been taken. There is a Starbuck’s in the lower level of this building.
