PLANNING permission has been granted for a £20.3m renovation of a former hotel and homeless hostel as part of Gallowgate regeneration.
Glasgow City Council has given the green light for Wheatley Group to convert the 1930s B-listed Bellgrove Hotel into 14 flats with a further 56 to be built on adjoining land.
This project is part of Transforming Communities, a partnership between Wheatley Group and Glasgow City Council to build affordable housing in key areas of the city.
More than 200 homes have already been constructed as part of the regeneration of Gallowgate – the majority of which are for social rent.
Lindsay Lauder, Director of Development and Regeneration at Wheatley Group, said: “This decision paves the way for a bright new future for the Bellgrove and for the Gallowgate.
“Plans will see us invest £20.3m transforming the building into 14 modern, spacious, energy-efficient affordable flats, while still retaining large sections of the former hotel.
“By working closely with our partners, we’ll also be able to build 56 homes for mid-market rent on the surrounding land and deliver additional much-needed affordable housing.”
Building work on the 17 one-bedroom and 53 two-bedroom homes is due to commence later this year, with the projecting aiming to be complete by spring 2026.
The Art Moderne features of the original hotel building will be preserved, including the front and east-facing elevations overlooking Gallowgate, as well as the coloured tiles.
However, the rear elevation and western wing – which are too narrow to accommodate flats – will be demolished.
Collective Architecture have been named as the architects for the project, with CCG (Scotland) Ltd as the main contractor.
Neal Whitaker, project architect from Collective Architecture, said: “The social history of the Bellgrove Hotel is well-known.
“Less widely recognised is the architectural significance of the building, which is one of only two Listed buildings in the area and one of the handful of surviving Art Moderne buildings in Glasgow.
“By retaining the architecturally significant front portion of the building, this significant landmark will become part of an ambitious regeneration of the area and a symbol for positive change.
“The new-build block on the brownfield site to the East will incorporate subtle references to the Moderne style, creating an architectural dialogue with the hotel building and a strong identity.”
The completed homes will be owned and managed by Lowther, part of Wheatley Group, targeting mid-market rent.
Mid-market rent is for households who have an income of less than £40,000 a year but have no priority for social rent. Mid-market rents with Lowther start at £459 a month.
More than 50 vulnerable men that were housed in the hotel until its closure have been offered homes by the Wheatley Group.
