UK: A listed building in Glasgow city centre could be converted to student housing if recently submitted plans are successful.
The vacant B-listed building at 250 St Vincent Street, at the top of Blythswood Hill, could be turned into 146 rooms with 150 beds if the proposals submitted to Glasgow City Council are approved.
Previous approval was given for the building, which dates back to 1878, to be converted into a hotel in 2020, but the proposals did not go ahead.
The planning application says that converting the building into student housing would “bring this building to life once again”.
Documents contained within the plans read: “Sitting atop the crest of Blythswood Hill, commanding magnificent views across Glasgow, is the imposing and significant former hotel building of 250 St Vincent Street. This grand, B-Listed Victorian building, built in 1878, is located in one of Glasgow’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, overlooking the city centre and River Clyde.”
It continues: “Following a refurbishment programme, the building was returned to the market, however despite significant effort to attract new interest, the property has continued to stand empty and unused. Market testing has shown that demand is poor for the type of office accommodation available at 250 St Vincent Street in its current format. The reasons for this range from the wrong location to the limited size and flexibility of the spaces available in the existing building. Despite the site’s struggle to attract office tenants, the building possesses great potential to be brought back into use as a Student Residential scheme.
“This exciting proposal would bring this building to life once again. It will breathe new life back into this corner of Blythswood Hill, bringing opportunity and animation to this end of St Vincent Street and the character area beyond.”
