Plans to transform iconic Glasgow nightclub take major step forward
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PLANS to transform an iconic Glasgow venue have taken a major step forward after being submitted to councillors.
The O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street has lain empty for seven years after it was damaged by the fire at the Glasgow School of Art.
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The O2 ABC suffered extensive damage after the blaze at the Glasgow School of Art in June 2018
Credit: PA:Press Association
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Bulldozers demolished the building in October 2024
Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing
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New plans will see the site turned into a new development with student accommodation
Credit: VITA GROUP
The legendary music venue was unable to open its doors after it was ruined by the devastating blaze in June 2018.
Flames from the art school spread to the ABC and tore through the building, as well as Jumping Jaks, the pub next door.
And the O2 ABC has been derelict and lying abandoned ever since, with locals frequently branding the site an "eyesore".
But in January year, plans were revealed to revive the site by developer Vita Group to transform it into modern student accommodation.
The plans involve tearing down the C-listed building and replacing it with the new development, which would house 356 students.
This first part was carried out in the following October with bulldozers demolishing the huge building.
Around 306 of the spaces will be in four, five and six-bedroom flats, and there will also be 50 studio apartments in the new complex.
The ground-floor food hall would provide space for five emerging food brands, with over 400 covers and a large bar.
There would also be space for bars, a gym and a courtyard.
The firm previously said it believes adding the private student halls to the site will help revitalise one of Scotland's busiest streets, which has been left to fall into a "sad and sorry" state.
Huge fire erupts at Glasgow School of Art before spreading to O2 music venue as Sauchiehall Street is evacuated
And now, councillors have been urged to approve the new plans after an application was submitted this week.
However, the document submitted to Glasgow City Council admits that the proposed plans have a "significant issue of the negative impact on the Conservation Area", according to the Glasgow Times.
It adds that "the scale of the proposed development would overall not be considered to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area".
However, despite this, councillors are still being recommended to approve the new development.
The official recommendation states that "this negative impact is considered to be outweighed by the significantly positive impact of developing this site".
This is because the new site could bring a huge £70million investment to Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street if it is successful.
James Rooke, Planning Director for Vita Group, who has successfully created other new sites in Glasgow, told the Glasgow Times: 'We believe our proposals offer a unique approach to student living and the benefits the development will bring extend far beyond the student community.
"It will generate significant economic benefits, will help to reenergise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions.
DJ playing Glasgow's O2 ABC at time of School of Art fire tells of 'blind panic'
THE O2 ABC DJ who was playing at the time of the massive blaze which tore the building apart has described the moment the club was evacuated during his set.
Grant Robertson, 24, was playing the club with his friend Lewis Wake at the time of the fire which started in the Glasgow School of Art.
The flames spread to the adjacent O2 ABC and Campus nightclub and the roof of the Sauchiehall Street club was engulfed in a raging inferno.
Grant and Lewis were interrupted by security guards who urged them to turn the music off and get out of the building.
He said: "It was crazy and bizarre. It was a blind panic. It was about 11pm when we were ushered out.
"Security did a great job - they came up and told us to turn the music off and said 'the Art School is on fire everybody needs to get out.'
"Everyone was ushered to the exits and even on the street the did a good job of shepherding folk out.
"I was just in shock. I was on auto pilot. It still hasn't sunk in."
Read the story here
'This is an incredibly challenging site to redevelop, and we've worked hard to create proposals that are deliverable and appropriate.'
Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of the Chamber, added: 'It is critical that this key site is brought forward for development as soon as possible.
"There's no doubt it's been a blight on Sauchiehall Street, and we need to secure this much-needed investment, which would be transformational.'
The ABC building was first built in 1875 and was later rebuilt in the 1920s, and has had several renovations over the years.
Before it had been tragically burnt down in the fire, it was regarded as one of the city's busiest and most distinguished live-music venues.
It currently sits between Sauchiehall Street and Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh Building.
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Councillors have been urged to approve the new plans
Credit: VITA GROUP
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Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow O2 ABC site plans approved for student accommodation
The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17. Over nine stories, including a basement, House of Social would include student accommodation, a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym, and more. The councillors first deliberated over whether the proposal contained enough information to make a decision today, and a motion was offered to take the proposal to a hearing. A vote was taken, and the motion for the hearing was refused, with a vote of six to four. Then, after questions between councillors, the plans were approved by a vote of eight to two. The new proposed development (Image: Vita Group) READ MORE:'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan Councillors were told that the proposal was made "as compact as it can viably be", despite the "admitted negative impact on the heritage buildings in the area." Ahead of the meeting, we reported that the Glasgow School of Art said the Sauchiehall Street plans put the rebuild of the A-listed Mackintosh building 'at significant risk'. And that locals and heritage organisations in the city mirrored calls for a rethink of the design for the mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Councillor Sean Ferguson spoke up during the meeting about the rebuild of the Mackintosh building. He said: "What context are we to consider this in? In no other situation would we be considering the impact on a burnt-out ruin of a building. "Although the global significance of the Mackintosh is understood. "If we don't take this opportunity to approve this proposal, we may see it lie derelict like it has for a decade." The site was ravaged by fire in 2014 and 2018 (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Mack rebuild 'at risk' from ABC warns Glasgow Art School Councillor Eva Bolander refuted claims that the Glasgow School of Art had no concrete plans to rebuild the architect's work. She said: "The Art School have never stated any other intention than restoring the Mackintosh Building." Professor Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the Glasgow School of Art, responded to the claims made in the meeting. She said: "We have been clear and provided evidence that the now approved proposals fundamentally compromise the Category A listed Mackintosh Building, something that was agreed with in both the Officers Report and in the objection by Historic Environment Scotland. "Equally, the suggestions made today in the Planning Committee that this proposal is acceptable because no planning application is currently submitted for the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building fails to take into account our stated commitment, and the work currently being undertaken by Reiach and Hall Architects with Purcell, for the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a working art school. "This approval places that commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk." However, after satisfying some of the questions the councillors fielded, they came to the vote. The chair of the meeting, Councillor Ken Andrew, approved. He said: "It's with some regret that I will support this. "On balance, I think that the benefits of developing the site outweigh the negatives." The proposal promises an open area to admire the Mackintosh building (Image: Vita Group) READ MORE: ABC owners say Glasgow School of Art 'ignored fire warning' Part of the meeting's appeasing of some concerns was the notion that the approval would be subject to conditions. One of the conditions set was that the Macfarlane cast iron screen, which formed part of the portico of the O2 ABC, would be displayed to the public in the development. The other conditions include a Section 75 order, which will require the developers to contribute to the area through the council. The proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans
They've also called on the Scottish Government to reverse the approval, which will see the building of a nine-story mixed-use development. The Glasgow School of Art has also called on Ministers to refuse the plans, stating that the approval "places their commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk." The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17, and a vote of eight to two approved the plans. Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said, "I am really disappointed by the Planning Committee's decision to allow this proposal to go through. "It is a very poor design, and I feel the developers have pushed boundaries, submitting revised plans that, while seemingly minor, collectively have created a situation where the planning department had little option but to approve this development. Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans (Image: Vita Group) "The Committee seemed to have reservations about the proposals, but were more concerned about leaving the area undeveloped. "Glasgow City Council has missed a trick here. There was an opportunity to create something truly special on this site. "The Scottish Government needs to step in and overturn this decision. "Mackintosh and Glasgow deserves better." READ MORE: Glasgow O2 ABC site plans approved for student accommodation READ MORE: 'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan READ MORE: O2 ABC site owners clash with Glasgow School of Art Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, echoed Stuart's disappointment at the approval. He said: "Given the acknowledged negative impact on Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art, Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's Grecian Chambers (now the CCA) and the Glasgow Central Conservation Area more broadly, I think this is a disappointing outcome for Glasgow's heritage. "Nevertheless, we live in a democracy, and the councillors on the Planning Applications Committee decided that the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street was more important to Glasgow. I must respect their decision. "Given the issues of national significance raised by Historic Environment Scotland, it will be interesting to see if Scottish Ministers call it in." The approved proposal (Image: Vita Group) Professor Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the Glasgow School of Art, also called on the government to reverse the approval. She said: "The objection by Historic Environment Scotland does now require the approval by Glasgow City Council to be referred to Scottish Ministers. "We hope that Ministers taking cognisance of the significant impact to the internationally important Mackintosh Building and its rebuilding, will exercise their powers purposefully, acknowledging that the setting, character and function of the Mackintosh Building is unacceptably compromised." Stuart Robertson previously told us that the proposal was "so depressing" and was not swayed by anything said in today's meeting. Stuart added: "As highlighted in my previous comments, this development is vastly over-scaled and does not meet development plan policy. "This approval places the commitment to the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building at significant risk and will set a dangerous precedent for our built heritage. "Look at the M&S development. After securing planning permission, the developer puts it on the market. We could see the same happen here. "The student housing sector needs to have a more robust public oversight. "Rather than relying on speculative delivery and developer-led policy formation, it may be time to reassert a civic-led approach that places the needs of communities, students, and heritage on an equal footing." The cast iron pieces will be displayed in the new building (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) Niall found a silver lining in one of the conditions set: that part of the portico of the O2 ABC would be displayed to the public in the development. He said: "On the positive side, I welcome the amended condition to see the incorporation of the Walter Macfarlane cast iron screen from the former ABC Cinema within the proposed development. "It will be interesting to see how the screen will be respectfully installed given the constrained height within the new building; however, it is a significant artefact with regards to Glasgow's cast iron technologies and has strong social value too. "Therefore, it being back on public display once more is worth celebrating."
The National
4 days ago
- The National
Glasgow heritage groups hit out over plans for 02 ABC site
They've also called on the Scottish Government to reverse the approval, which will see the building of a nine-storey mixed-use development. The Glasgow School of Art has also called on ministers to refuse the plans, stating that the approval "places their commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk." The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17, and a vote of eight to two approved the plans. Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said: "I am really disappointed by the Planning Committee's decision to allow this proposal to go through. "It is a very poor design, and I feel the developers have pushed boundaries, submitting revised plans that, while seemingly minor, collectively have created a situation where the planning department had little option but to approve this development. Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans (Image: Vita Group) "The committee seemed to have reservations about the proposals, but were more concerned about leaving the area undeveloped. "Glasgow City Council has missed a trick here. There was an opportunity to create something truly special on this site. "The Scottish Government needs to step in and overturn this decision. "Mackintosh and Glasgow deserves better." Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, echoed Stuart's disappointment at the approval. He said: "Given the acknowledged negative impact on Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art, Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's Grecian Chambers (now the CCA) and the Glasgow Central Conservation Area more broadly, I think this is a disappointing outcome for Glasgow's heritage. "Nevertheless, we live in a democracy, and the councillors on the Planning Applications Committee decided that the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street was more important to Glasgow. I must respect their decision. "Given the issues of national significance raised by Historic Environment Scotland, it will be interesting to see if Scottish ministers call it in." The approved proposal (Image: Vita Group) Professor Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the Glasgow School of Art, also called on the Government to reverse the approval. She said: "The objection by Historic Environment Scotland does now require the approval by Glasgow City Council to be referred to Scottish ministers. "We hope that ministers taking cognisance of the significant impact to the internationally important Mackintosh Building and its rebuilding, will exercise their powers purposefully, acknowledging that the setting, character and function of the Mackintosh Building is unacceptably compromised." Stuart Robertson previously told us that the proposal was "so depressing" and was not swayed by anything said in today's meeting. Robertson added: "As highlighted in my previous comments, this development is vastly over-scaled and does not meet development plan policy. "This approval places the commitment to the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building at significant risk and will set a dangerous precedent for our built heritage. "Look at the M&S development. After securing planning permission, the developer puts it on the market. We could see the same happening here. "The student housing sector needs to have a more robust public oversight. "Rather than relying on speculative delivery and developer-led policy formation, it may be time to reassert a civic-led approach that places the needs of communities, students, and heritage on an equal footing." The cast iron pieces will be displayed in the new building (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) Murphy found a silver lining in one of the conditions set: That part of the portico of the O2 ABC would be displayed to the public in the development. He said: "On the positive side, I welcome the amended condition to see the incorporation of the Walter Macfarlane cast iron screen from the former ABC Cinema within the proposed development. "It will be interesting to see how the screen will be respectfully installed given the constrained height within the new building; however, it is a significant artefact with regards to Glasgow's cast iron technologies and has strong social value too. "Therefore, it being back on public display once more is worth celebrating."
