May 15 2025

Disused offices in Glasgow city centre have found new purpose as build-to-rent accommodation following a design and build conversion.

Part funded by Maven with developer Calmont, the project has reinvigorated the derelict 6,000sq/ft Dalian House, which has lain empty since 2010 despite its prominent location.

Delivered by contractor Thomas Johnstone alongside Mosaic Architecture + Design, the property benefits from new glazing, landscaping and a full remodelling of the interior to deliver 92 apartments managed by VervLife.  

Stephen Mallon, director of Mosaic, commented: “Not only is the re-purposing of existing buildings important for improving their energy performance and longevity, it also provides mainstream housing, bringing people back to live in the city centre, adding to the 24-hour culture and economy and providing opportunities through shared communal facilities for near home and co-working in addition to leisure facilities in a safe, managed building.  

“Residents also benefit from storage, fitness and parking facilities in the basement.   “Importantly, we are also providing urban landscaping both to the St Vincent Street frontage and the former car park to the rear. Creating new patios, pétanque court and garden areas for relaxation and leisure combined with raised beds for community gardening, adding to the health and wellbeing of residents.”

Tenants began moving into the £19m development last August, but high-level ‘pagoda’ tower glazing and ‘dalian rose’ were only completed recently.   

3 Comments

#1 Posted by James Hepburn on 15 May 2025 at 16:54 PM

Glad to see its being used but its still a hideous building that a blot on the Glasgow skyline.

#2 Posted by Lovely on 16 May 2025 at 08:36 AM

Agree that it’s good to see derelict buildings being brought back to life, even ugly ones like this.

However, the corporate take over and aggressive monetisation of the building stock is a little bit worrying at £1200 a month for a tiny one bed flat.

That's great for distant shareholders but not so good for local life quality and sustainability of the city.

#3 Posted by Jake Janobs on 16 May 2025 at 11:33 AM

At least you can pretend you're living in Fortran services on the M6.

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