September 9 2021

George Capital has initiated a pre-planning process governing the redevelopment of Nile House at 36 Bath Street, Glasgow.

Plans had already been approved for a 15-storey hotel on the site but the developer will now go back to the drawing board to pursue the possible inclusion of an apart-hotel, student accommodation and co-working spaces.

Once again led by 3DReid Architects this process will seek to frame the B-listed former Mechanics Institute next door with a more muscular 14-storey block rising from a solid plinth housing a reception, lounge and bar. Office accommodation would be provided on floors one to three with floors four and above reserved for short stay accommodation and student rooms.

In a concept statement, the architects wrote: "The massing concept is to proportionally resolve the block, by creating a symmetrical composition which helps to frame the listed building.

"The upper level massing is to be set back from the facade edge, and 'dematerialised' to separate the solid mass on Bath Street, and West Nile Street from the upper levels of the building. This would result in a simple glass form which would give the building an ethereal top."

The project team will be available to answer queries on the scheme today between 15:00 and 18:00.

10 Comments

#1 Posted by James Hepburn on 9 Sep 2021 at 10:52 AM

Glasgow has a plethora of hotels. The only kind it needs is a small high quality type, the way One Devonshire Gardens was back when it used to be good.

#2 Posted by Glasgow Bob on 10 Sep 2021 at 05:48 AM

#1? The way it used to be when you arrived in your horse drawn carriage! Sorry times have moved on gramps.

#3 Posted by Roddy_ on 10 Sep 2021 at 08:54 AM

The wee coloured sketch kind of tells you where the designers priorities lie. More concerned with squeezing the site till the pips squeak and aligning with the worst that West Nile St has to offer rather than modulating the façade in sympathy with James Salmon senior’s Mechanics Institute.
We’re seeing a progressive and systematic dismantling of the central conservation area with big dumb blocks with their big dumb facades and a total lack of locally distinct building designs. Modern is fine but make it beautiful, responsive and make the roof something that breaks the skyline with confidence, vigour and elegance.
Try sticking that in the consultation comments and see how far it gets you?

#4 Posted by Georwell 84 on 10 Sep 2021 at 09:09 AM

#2 At the rate they are banning cars from Glasgow City we will all be pulling up in horse drawn carriages!

#5 Posted by The Ghost of Architecture Past on 10 Sep 2021 at 17:06 PM

So the way to redress the situation of the "squat two-storey building rubbing shoulders with a six-storey neighbour" is to replace it with a Fourteen Storey building!!! are you off your head or what. For one Empire House is it's other neighbour and that's two storey along West Nile St so you'll then have that & the six storey "rubbing shoulders" with 14 storeys... how in any way does that bring balance?

#6 Posted by Glasgow Bob on 10 Sep 2021 at 19:46 PM

#4 as diddums pride that steering wheel out of your cold dead hands? Folk need to learn to use their feet again.

#7 Posted by Cateran on 10 Sep 2021 at 22:26 PM

#6 Another eco-warrior gadgie. Nice to walk when you've time and it's a warm summer's day, but most of the year it's the opposite, hence why people don't.

#8 Posted by Glasgow Bob on 11 Sep 2021 at 19:39 PM

#7 'most of the year..' drivel! Just put your big boy pants on and buy a brolly for those rainy days, sweetheart.

#9 Posted by The sinik on 14 Sep 2021 at 12:09 PM

@7 - 'Big boy pants' and statements along those lines cause huge damage. The current strategy is to move away from toxic masculinity. Its 2021 now.

#10 Posted by Linda on 14 Sep 2021 at 17:04 PM

#9 give the woke garbage a rest, you're impressing no one. It's just embarrassing. And try keep on topic if that's not too difficult. You all want to drive everywhere then move out to the dead zone suburbs. Leave the city centre for those who actually can be bothered walking more than the length of themselves.

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