Apartment plan for fire-hit city centre site
PLANS to create apartments above a popular city pub damaged by the Sauchiehall Street fire have been revealed.
An application has been submitted to Glasgow City Council which could see the former Greaves Sports site transformed into 27 serviced apartments.
The scheme would see Lauder’s, which was forced to close after the Victoria’s Nightclub blaze in March, last year, remain in its current location.
Bennett Developments and Consulting has submitted the plans for the four-storey building on behalf of applicant Sava Estates.
The developer says the flats will help the street’s recovery by bringing in more people to boost the area.
“Sauchiehall Street, which is possibly the most famous street in the city has suffered greatly as a result of being the scene of two major fires,” the planning statement says.
“One further west on Sauchiehall Street involving the Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed Glasgow School of Art and the other immediately adjacent to the application site which saw the removal of an extensive area of the Sauchiehall Street frontage, including the closure of Lauders Public Bar which occupied most of the ground floor of the application site.
“The effect of these fires, particularly the time it has taken to allow the tenants and shop owners back into the street, has greatly degraded the Sauchiehall Street experience.
“This is a prime corner in that it is on the pedestrianised area, is in the theatre/entertainment area and has good access to all public transport facilities.
“It is a matter of some concern that the fire tragedies which have befallen Sauchiehall Street have had a marked effect on the street and greatly weakened its attractiveness.
“This development will begin to rebuild the lost confidence and, by bringing visitors and residents into the street, contribute to rebuilding the dynamism which was once a feature of this famous street.”
The application requests a change of use from retail to serviced apartments, promising a high standard of comfortable accommodation “with breakfast being offered at one of numerous eateries nearby”.
It claims there will be “good space standards, with nine apartments on each of the three floors”.
Access would be via an existing doorway on Sauchiehall Street, with a reception area on the ground floor and stairs and a lift to upper floors.
An electric crane/hoist, originally used for bringing goods into the shop, will be used for removing rubbish.
It was revealed in January that Lauder’s Pub is due to undergo a complete refurbishment. Staff have estimated the cost of repairs could hit more than a million pounds.