Approval Granted for Construction of Five-Star Hotel on Former Glasgow High School Site
Plans to transform the old High School of Glasgow site into a five-star hotel and wedding venue have been approved by Glasgow City Council.
Hospitality firm Scotsman Group, formerly known as G1, has received the green light to revamp the former school buildings on Elmbank Street and Holland Street, which were last utilized as police offices.
Transforming the Site
The ambitious project is set to feature a public bar, restaurant, spa with pool and gym, 21 serviced apartments, and 142 bedrooms. An impressive investment of over £20 million is earmarked for the renovation of the buildings and surrounding grounds, with approximately 175 permanent jobs in the pipeline.
City Property, the landowner responsible for managing the council’s surplus properties, put the complex up for sale. After a rigorous selection process, the Scotsman Group emerged as the successful bidder in 2021.
Vision for the Future
The company envisions creating a luxurious city center destination with the five-star hotel, aiming to infuse a sense of style and glamour into the site. With a track record of successful ventures in Glasgow, including popular venues like the Corinthian Club and Grosvenor Cafe, Scotsman Group is poised to elevate the hospitality scene in the city.
Businessman Stefan King, the owner of Scotsman Group, has already left his mark on the industry with the acquisition and refurbishment of the Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh. This iconic property, once home to The Scotsman newspaper, underwent a transformation under King’s leadership in 2017.
Redevelopment Plans
The High School of Glasgow, which ceased operations in 1976 due to educational restructuring, will soon see new life breathed into its historic buildings. The Elmbank Street site, boasting A-listed structures, served as council offices until 1996 when it was repurposed for police use. Following the relocation of Police Scotland in 2013, the site fell into disrepair, necessitating urgent intervention to salvage the deteriorating buildings.
The proposed construction will unfold in five stages, with the initial phases focusing on the development of serviced apartments and hotel accommodations. Subsequent stages will involve the creation of function rooms, a public bar within the gatehouse buildings, and a spa complex with pool, gym, and treatment rooms. The final phase will see the demolition of an unlisted building to make way for additional hotel rooms on the upper floors.
As Glasgow prepares to welcome a new luxury hotel and event venue, the city’s skyline is poised for a transformative addition that will undoubtedly redefine the local hospitality landscape. With the promise of job creation, economic growth, and enhanced tourism offerings, the forthcoming five-star hotel at the former High School of Glasgow site represents a beacon of hope and renewal for the historic location.