A Scots architectural masterpiece is at the centre of a row over advertising.
Owners of the Egyptian Halls in Glasgow – designed by Alexander “Greek” Thomson – want to drape banners over the front to generate money for repairs.
But officials said no, claiming it would “obscure and dominate” the area.
The four-storey city centre structure has been empty for 40 years and has suffered extensive damage from water leaks.
Its owner, Union Street Investments (USI) Ltd, was ordered by Glasgow City Council to come up with a plan to save the 150-year-old building .
Scaffolding and a protective shroud have covered the front since 2008. Last year, the Egyptian Halls was named one of Europe’s most important endangered buildings by Europa Nostra.
An engineering report for Dundee-based USI described the Union Street building as “unsafe and unpredictable” due to water damage, and a possible risk to public safety and nearby buildings.
USI has appealed the council’s objection to the advertising to the Scottish Government, saying cash is needed to investigate how to preserve the building, which could be turned into a hotel. Repairs are expected to cost at least £10million.
USI stressed ads would be displayed for only four months of the year, with a People Make Glasgow banner at other times.
Its director, Derek Souter, said the banner “would generate awareness, exposure and a feelgood factor”.
He added: “The ad income would be used for costs such as the recent structural survey, scaffolding upgrade and specialist concrete testing.”
Glasgow City Council declined to comment. The Scottish Government is expected to rule on USI’s appeal later this year.
