ReGlasgow

HISTORIC Glasgow School Buildings Set For Luxury Hotel Makeover

19 April, 2023 | Hotels, Listed / Historic Buildings

A £20MILLION plan has been drawn up to redevelop the former High School of Glasgow site into a high-end hotel complex.

The Scotsman Group is applying for permission to turn the rundown historic campus into a 142-room hotel with 21 serviced apartments and function rooms, a bar in one of the gatehouses, plus a pool, spa and gym facility in a new building.

Glazed links would be provided between key buildings and there would be a seven-bay bay external cloister with feature exposed timber trusses, seating and soft lighting to serve as “a delightful backdrop” for photographs.

Construction of the school started in 1846 and continued to develop over the next 130 years. Seven of the eight buildings on the site are Grade A listed. They were later occupied by Strathclyde Regional Council and Police Scotland, but have been disused since 2013.

The complex is formed around a large central courtyard and surrounded by a mixture of traditional stone walls and ornate metal gates and railings. Vehicular access is via Holland Street and pedestrian access is available from both Elmbank Street and Holland Street.

A document submitted to city planners states: “Scotsman Group is excited by the potential to create a stunning destination which complements their wider portfolio and experience with bespoke listed buildings

“The proposals have been developed with a view to reinvigorating existing building stock and reimagining the building use and overall development to ensure a sustainable a flexible future for decades to come.

“After nine years remaining derelict and deteriorating rapidly, this development requires significant investment to ensure the longevity of the building stock and the celebration of this piece of architectural history nestled within the city centre.”

It continues: “The future vison for this area intends to build on the approved developments in the vicinity and redevelop a once-cherished architectural gem to create a high-end public facility befitting the prominent historical mark the building complex has made in the city.”

“The proposals aim to retain the key features, volumes, proportions and detailing of the existing external fabric and upgrade where necessary to reflect the level of building deterioration evident on site.”

The statement concludes: “We are confident that the submitted development proposals respond sensitively to the existing context whilst providing flexibility and accessibility of building use to reflect user requirements.

“Careful consideration has taken place to ensure the buildings are utilized to their full potential, while protecting the key features and historical importance of the site.”

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