Plans to demolish part of a city centre building dating back to 1935 in favour of student flats have been described as a 'travesty'.
Developers are looking to flatten the former Marks & Spencer building on Sauchiehall Street and replace it with mixed-use student accommodation with a rooftop terrace and garden.
The store was a popular fixture on the shopping street for nearly nine decades having first opened in 1935 and was regarded as one of the city's oldest M&S stores. The art deco building was designed by famous architect Robert Lutyens.
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There are currently no plans to retain any part of the building, including the eye-catching facade.
Paul Sweeney MSP has said that losing the external facade would be a 'travesty' for the cultural fabric of the city.
He said: "It’s incredibly disheartening to see the proposal to demolish the M&S store on Sauchiehall Street in its entirety, despite it being a much-loved institution that has served generations of Glaswegians. In the midst of a climate emergency, it is unthinkable that a full demolition would take place, with the environmental consequences that would have.
“The very least we should expect is that the external façade to Sauchiehall Street is retained. It is a rare and valuable example of Glasgow art deco architecture that has been in place since 1935, designed by famous architect Robert Lutyens. To replace it with a generic block of student accommodation, having no regard to the local community or to the Glasgow Central Conservation Area would be a travesty.
“I have been engaging with the developers and will continue to do so. I want to work constructively to ensure that we can all agree on a proposal that improves the community, acknowledges and preserves the historic façade, and is sustainable. That is entirely achievable, and I am hopeful we can come to an amicable resolution.”
Deputy Director Niall Murphy of Glasgow City Heritage Trust described the plans as 'depressing.
He added: "A year on from COP26 it’s depressing to see a proposal to demolish M&S on Sauchiehall Street only to replace it with a “could be anywhere” student housing scheme which doesn’t even explore retaining Robert Lutyens’ classy facade."
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