September 29 2021

An abandoned bar in Glasgow city centre is to make way for new-build serviced apartments following receipt of planning permission and conservation area consent.

The unlisted Annie Millers Public House sits within the Glasgow Central conservation area on Ropework Lane but suffers from structural and rot issues after being abandoned for years, prompting the move to demolish and build 18 serviced apartments.

Andre Graham, director of developer Big Top Productions, said: “The managed apartments will replace the derelict Annie Millers Public House which has long been a nuisance and blight to the immediate area and will lead to a significant drop in antisocial behaviour, whilst increasing the value of properties in the vicinity.

“This 3-to-4-star level apartment project will be named The Axis Studios, and will be primarily aimed at, but not exclusive to, the LGBT community and guests will be welcomed from all groups. We will be a hetero-friendly establishment."

Mosaic director Stephen Mallon added:“The building is a contemporary and energy-efficient design using a simple but high-quality palette of materials such as blue brick, bronze cladding and aluminium curtain walling. A terrace provides rooftop activation with appropriate screening and solar panels on the roof.”

The £3m build will include a 24-hour concierge service and will improve the setting of Ropework and Metropole Lanes.

8 Comments

#1 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 29 Sep 2021 at 10:32 AM

Struggling to work out the economics behind this project -- £165K is the average build cost plus land / project management / design / profit.

Then you have service costs for a fully (wo)manned building split between 18 flats -- with no parking provision.

Plus limiting your market.
Looking like an ego trip to me.

Sorry that dog don't hunt.

#2 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 29 Sep 2021 at 10:38 AM

Other sources suggest that this is a development of "short stay" apartments not housing.

Makes the economics a bit better but still a big ask.

#3 Posted by Peter on 29 Sep 2021 at 11:24 AM

Window to window - approx. 4-5m (opposite residential block).
- Look mum, shagging rabbits!

#4 Posted by James Tallent on 29 Sep 2021 at 15:43 PM

A hideously run down, empty shell of a building is to be replaced with a perfectly acceptable block of flats. Let’s all find fault!

#5 Posted by ken on 29 Sep 2021 at 16:33 PM

#4 agree.
Looks sharp and is an appropriate response.
FBOT will always breakdown the cost appraisal to try to showcase his expertise...
I would prefer to see less vertical emphasis with the facade composition given its footprint//context/height, but its a handsome and positive block nonetheless.

#6 Posted by Barnaby Schultz on 29 Sep 2021 at 21:41 PM

Does anyone know the history of the building? How old is it etc. There seems to be very little history about the actual building online.

#7 Posted by 8bit on 1 Oct 2021 at 10:47 AM

Nice to see they are retaining the rooftop foliage from the existing building.

#8 Posted by Lawrence on 23 Oct 2022 at 09:28 AM

According to other sources. This development appears to be short-term apartments rather than housing. https://www.360apartments.co.uk/

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