December 14 2022

Glasgow's A-listed Custom House has begun a new life at the foot of a new hotel following the completion of an £80m development.

Given top billing in a new 'hotel quarter', the Greek revival landmark serves as the main entrance to the 303-bed Clayton Hotel, standing alongside the 164-bed Adagio Aparthotel.

Four years in the making, both hotels have been delivered by McAleer & Rushe on behalf of Artisan Real Estate.

Jaco Jansen, Artisan’s chief executive officer, commented: “This has been a quite remarkable transformation of a forgotten and untended waterside gap-site into a vibrant hotel quarter restoring the direct link between the bustling heart of Glasgow’s city centre and the River Clyde.

“At its heart is the fully restored Custom House building itself, now providing a grand entrance hall and accessible social spaces open to the public. Fittingly, the Greek Doric arches either side of the main building where, traditionally, horses and carriages would pass having settled their taxes, now stand restored and rejuvenated, becoming a pertinent symbol of the renewed connectivity inspired by the regeneration.”

The complex was delivered to designs by delivery architect Leach Rhodes Walker. 

10 Comments

#1 Posted by James Hepburn on 14 Dec 2022 at 13:40 PM

There you go! The architectural definition of bland.

#2 Posted by Charlie_ on 14 Dec 2022 at 14:54 PM

After looking at a derelict waterfront literally my entire life, that hits like a tall, bland glass of water in the desert.

#3 Posted by Jimbob Tanktop on 14 Dec 2022 at 15:37 PM

Great to see that after all those years of imaginative drawings, CGI and high-value plans, they settled on this. What a time to be alive.

#4 Posted by Chris on 14 Dec 2022 at 17:59 PM

The back has windows and already staining badly. A pox on everyone involved with this development.

#5 Posted by Whispering Andy on 15 Dec 2022 at 10:16 AM

Whisper it.......but the stone has that similar algae hue that the Park Quadrant expensive flat development wears as a badge of shame.

#6 Posted by Lancer on 15 Dec 2022 at 12:48 PM

Like many Glasgow new-builds recently, this actually looked much more exciting while it was under construction. The rear of the building is an abomination and an insult to the city.

#7 Posted by Roddy_ on 16 Dec 2022 at 19:48 PM

The design has suffered from losing the main tower's 'crown' to value engineering and from City Design's clear failure to insist that the tower was designed 'in the round' as required in planning guidance- see big blank north-facing elevation that looms over St Enoch Square and terminates the vista down Union St horribly.

The conservation work to Custom House looks to have been VE'd too with lithomex repairs where indenting should have been preferred - see the fluting to the coulums.

All in all a very average,plodding and unremarkable addition to a riverfront that deserves better and deserves better design governance from those in Neighbourhoods Regeneration and Sustainability.

#8 Posted by OssianLore on 18 Dec 2022 at 14:45 PM

The comments so far have been uncharacteristically generous because this is utterly irredeemable. A pox on them all, the bunch of ClydeNavigationTrustS. Just a mild pox though, seeing as it's Christmas.

#9 Posted by Cateran on 20 Dec 2022 at 14:12 PM

Is this what all those years of training and researching brings forth? Like many projects in recent years, what a disgrace to the city. #8, Your comments are somewhat restrained in this context.

#10 Posted by Rankielass on 10 Jan 2023 at 13:21 PM

Just when you thought Glasgow couldn't get any worse!

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