Notorious Glasgow homeless hostel set to be transformed into modern, affordable homes in £20m redevelopment
A NOTORIOUS former Glasgow hotel is set to be developed in a £20million transformation.
The rundown Bellgrove Hotel on the Gallowgate in the city's east end has been an eyesore for many years.
The B-listed Art Moderne-style building, constructed in the 1930s, had been used as a hostel for homeless people in recent times.
But the site is set to get a surprise renovation after Glasgow City Council granted planning permission.
Wheatley Group will convert the building 14 "modern, spacious, energy-efficient affordable" flats.
Eight of the new properties in the £20.3m development will be wheelchair accessible.
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Permission has also been granted for a further 56 flats to be built on adjoining land.
Key features of the original building will be preserved as part of the plans, including the front and east-facing elevations overlooking the Gallowgate and the decorative bands of coloured tiles.
Construction of the 17 one-bedroom and 53 two-bedroom homes is due to start later this year.
Work is expected to be completed in spring 2026.
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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 £20.3 million transforming the building into 14 modern, spacious, energy-efficient affordable flats, while still retaining large sections of the former hotel to preserve its long architectural history.
“By working closely with our partners Glasgow City Council and Scottish Government we’ll also be able to build 56 homes for mid-market rent on the surrounding land and deliver additional much-needed affordable housing in the east of the city.”
The regeneration work will retain the building's original façade.
But the rear elevation and western wing, which are too narrow to accommodate flats, will be demolished.
That work is expected to get underway on site by June.
The completed homes will be owned and managed by Lowther, part of Wheatley Group, for mid-market rent.
Mid-market rent is for households who have an income of less than £40,000 a year and have no priority for social rent.
Mid-market rents with Lowther start at £459 a month.
The project is part of the ongoing work of Transforming Communities, a partnership between Wheatley Group, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government.
Councillor Kenny McLean said: “The renewal of the Bellgrove Hotel by Transforming Communities: Glasgow partners is the next step of the regeneration of the Gallowgate and paves the way for the transformation of another East End neighbourhood. I look forward to the local community continuing to play a key role of the development of the place where they live.”
Collective Architecture has been named as the architects for the regeneration project, with CCG (Scotland) Ltd as the main contractor.
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Project architect Neal Whitaker 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 for the development as a whole.”