Gum factory to police HQ: City buildings left derelict for decades

The decay is visible, the maintenance looks non-existent and any potential opportunity that may be present is likely to be noticed only by the most visionary and well funded developer.

In the second part of our Glasgow Times Investigates abandoned city series we look at more long-term derelict properties, that are a blight on their communities.

READ NEXT:More Glasgow buildings to be added to At Risk register

On the edge of Glasgow Green is a former gum factory that looks like a four-storey tenement housing block.

It was latterly the Inn on the Green on Greenhead Street, a hotel and restaurant.

Vacant since at least 2007 it has had various proposals for redevelopment but ultimately it has been abandoned.

The buildings at risk register lists its condition as “ruinous” and its risk status as “critical”.

The most recent inspection found it “continues to decay” with a hole in the roof and the upper balustrade appearing unstable. Windows are missing and some are covered with metal sheeting and the property has been fenced off.

READ NEXT: The story of Glasgow's built heritage that's been left to rot

More than 10 years ago Holiday Inn submitted plans for a 200-plus bedroomed hotel with the frontage to be retained.

In 2014 a fire caused serious damage and six years later there was a plan for flats.

Two years ago plans were modified to include demolition of the upper floors but the building still stands decaying further.

South River Clyde in Oxford Street, just around from the India Buildings, which last month became so dangerous it had to be demolished sits another perilous property.

A six-storey former drapery warehouse, built in 1937, is considered by Historic Environment Scotland to be a ”rare survivor” in the area.

The condition is listed as “poor” and the risk level “moderate”.

The five floors above ground have been vacant for at least 20 years while the ground floor has been in use.

There appear to be no development plans submitted for this building, which has a distinctive character with an Art Deco style and Egyptian-inspired features.

Windows are broken and missing, with vegetation taking root on parts of the building.

Some on the register are not at high risk but their appearance is a depressing experience for people who live nearby or who pass them regularly.

On Pollokshaws Road heading out to Shawlands, the old St Andrews works have been a sorry sight for many years.

It was built in 1899 for electricity generation and later converted to a printworks.

The building, which is owned by Glasgow City Council had been under offer and plans for a family centre were proposed in 2017 but it remains empty, unsightly and undeveloped.

The former Police HQ at St Andrew's Square was latterly used as a police museum the striking red brick building is a truncheon’s throw away from Glasgow Cross.

Empty since 2009 when the museum was moved to another location it has decayed.

It was put up for sale in 2013, sold in 2016 and plans lodged again only to be put on the market again in 2022.

On the top of the building sits the city coat of arms and the motto Let Glasgow Flourish.

There have been a number of proposals for re-use of this complex and the latest planning application, which is current is for internal and external alterations, part demolition to create 31 flats.

The condition at the moment is “poor” and the risk put as “moderate”.

The locality of these premises may have made it difficult to find alternative uses.

Sitting just outside the centre of the city but with their previous uses consigned to history converting to something new involves the building meeting the needs of a modern business and could be costly.

Simon Stronach Deputy Head of Planning at Historic Environment Scotland, said:  “It is difficult to generalise about what is needed to prevent more buildings being demolished because they are dangerous.

“Each building is different and there are many complexities underlying why they may deteriorate. “For example, the economy of the area, and the nature and condition of the building.

“We encourage investment in regular inspection and maintenance to help understand the condition of buildings because this helps owners to plan ahead."