At-risk Glasgow building could be saved as plans approved

The owners of a B-listed former office block at 50 to 52 Argyle Street have been granted permission by Glasgow City Council to create 13 flats.

Innovative Asset Management, part of Preston-based Bhailok Group, can now redevelop the property, which it bought last year.

(Image: LDRS)

Work will involve some demolition but the application revealed plans for a “full refurbishment of the facade”.

The building, at the corner of Argyle Street and Miller Street, was earmarked for demolition in 2015, but the planning application was later withdrawn.

Another bid to build 21 flats on the site was approved in 2019, but it has not progressed.

Currently on the Buildings at Risk register, the building was originally designed for use as an office and warehouse in the early 1900s. 

Documents submitted by ZM Architecture, working on behalf of the applicants, said the new owners are “committed to repairing and preserving” the property through “pragmatic and careful conservation”.

The south and east sides of the building are set to be refurbished while a “new rear element in a contemporary style” would be created to “replace the existing metal cladding and brick section which is in poor structural condition”.

There are also plans to “stabilise the historic defects” caused by water ingress issues.

Image from planning documents (Image: LDRS)

The developers argued the conversion aligns with Glasgow City Council’s aim of increasing the city centre population, with 12 two-bed flats and one-three bed flat planned. Retail space will remain at ground and basement level.

“The works involve some demolition,” the plans added. “The building has already been stripped internally back to structure and made wind and watertight by previous owners.”

They stated the scaffold around the building, used for advertising, has allowed a conservation team to assess the issues and survey the condition of the stonework.