Plans to bring Glasgow’s long-vacant Egyptian Halls on Union Street, opposite Queen Street station, back into active use have moved forward after the city council approved the appointment of Ediston as preferred developer for the Category A-listed building.
According to council papers, Ediston’s submission proposes a mixed-use redevelopment, including leisure use at ground and first-floor level and hotel use on the upper floors of the Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson-designed building.
Ediston propose featuring a Scottish food market and a 70-bedroom apartment hotel and has secured two anchor tenants. The List Market, publishers of the List magazine, will create a foodhall with communal dining occupying the ground and first floors. The upper floors will feature Bob W, an award-winning European hotel operator which has over 5,000 units across 16 countries, as well as a new roof pavilion.
Andy McKinlay, Ediston’s Chairman said, “We have the opportunity to restore one of the city’s flagship heritage buildings that will transform Union Street, providing a high quality destination, for both day and night that will attract increased footfall, create jobs and revitalise the area.
“The redevelopment of such an important listed building will have its challenges however, we have a highly skilled team and support from heritage organisations to make it happen. The List Market and Bob W are two exciting brands to be welcomed to the city and all going well we believe the building can be completed and delivered in 2029.”
The project team includes John Gilbert Architects who have a strong track record in refurbishing and repurposing heritage buildings and Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.
The decision follows an open marketing process managed by Ryden, which attracted more than 20 notes of interest, with three final submissions received. Each submission was assessed against an evaluation framework covering strategic, commercial, economic, financial and management criteria, with Ediston achieving the highest overall score.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow City Council’s convener for built heritage and development, said the decision was an important step for the future of the building.
“Identifying a compelling, detailed and well-progressed proposal for the Egyptian Halls is key to securing a future for this architectural masterpiece while giving new life and new purpose to Glasgow’s built heritage,” he said.
The committee has also approved continued work to investigate the use of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers and authorised officers to enter into negotiations with Ediston on terms for a back-to-back CPO agreement, if a voluntary purchase cannot be agreed with the current owner.
Further committee approvals will be required before the project can progress, with the report noting that planning and listed building consent considerations will form part of later stages.
Picture: Ediston Artists impression Egyptian Halls
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