Work has started to demolish the distinctive frontage of a famous Glasgow landmark.

Crews have begun taking down the o2 ABC building on Sauchiehall Street.

The historic building which has stood for around 100 years was formerly the ABC cinema and before that the Regal picture hall.

It has also been a dance hall and an ice rink during its history with hundreds of thousands of people having enjoyed a night out in the venue over many generations.

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It was the o2 music venue up until it was destroyed in the second Art School fire in 2018 and it has lain empty ever since.

Despite efforts to have it retained or at least the façade preserved and incorporated into a new design, the building is being demolished.

(Image: newsquest)

The building has been fenced off for several weeks, since the demolition request was approved by the council.

Using cherrypickers workers can be seen beginning the task of dismantling the frontage starting at the top of the building.

There are plans for student accommodation to be built on the site.

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The developers had said that it was not feasible to retain the building or the façade given the condition it was in.

Politicians and campaigners have attempted to persuade the owners to keep some of the recognisable and original features.

Glasgow Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said he has been trying to contact the owners.

He said: “I have been trying to contact the ABC's owner over the last few days, but they are proving to be evasive.

“I asked them to instruct a conservation-accredited structural engineer to try to save the portico.

“Instead, they have instructed the demolition crew to focus on the portico.”

Sweeney said he will be contacting the city council to try to get an urgent notice imposed to allow features to be saved.

He added: “A condition of the listed building consent was to salvage the cast iron windows from the portico, but as you can see, cast ironwork is still in place.

“I will be asking Glasgow City Council to serve an immediate stop notice.”