A new suite of serviced apartments is set to be created on one of Glasgow’s busiest shopping streets under plans submitted to the city council.
The proposals would see the empty upper floors of listed buildings on the corner of Bath Street, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street – including the former Vapiano restaurant site — converted into over 70 serviced apartments.
The application site covers 2-10 Bath Street and 229-249 Buchanan Street, which include the former Cleland Testimonial Building and George Hotel.
A retail unit on the ground floor, previously used by Topshop, would remain.
“The proposals will convert the upper floors, which are currently vacant retail and restaurant space, to an exciting new business offering 74 serviced apartments,” the application reveals.
Visitors would access the apartments through a new entrance, which will be created by opening up a blocked doorway on Bath Street.
Bringing the vacant floors back into use “will provide a vibrant and sustainable use for the building moving forward” and protect “a valuable heritage asset for future generations”, according to planning and development consultancy Turley, who submitted the proposal for BVK High Street Retail Buchanan Ltd.
“The property will operate much like a hotel; the main difference being that small kitchen and dining areas are provided within the apartments so that guests can treat the apartments effectively as self catering type accommodation while visiting the city.”
The developers also claim the move would “add a vibrant new business to the area and provide much needed high quality accommodation for visitors to our great city”.
“In addition to providing direct employment opportunities and indirect employment through the wider supply chain, it is considered that, given its position at the top of Buchanan Street adjacent to the Galleries and Royal Concert Hall, the development will provide a sustainable long term use for the building.”
They also believe the retail offering on Buchanan Street will be “enhanced” as the former restaurant vestibule will be converted into a shop.
A reception, lounge and two lifts are also included in the plans.
The planned entrance is on Bath Street to allow for a drop-off and pick-up area on-street, which wouldn’t be available on the pedestrianised Sauchiehall Street or Buchanan Street.
Italian restaurant Vapiano, a 293-seat venue in the old George Hotel, shut down in 2019, just one year after opening. Bosses claimed it was the “wrong location”.
Back in 2016, Hines, a real estate investment firm, and German investment company Universal-Investment bought 229 to 249 Buchanan Street. The deal was done on behalf of Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK), which is Germany’s largest pension fund.
Representatives for the developer sought planning advice from council officers prior to submitting the application and report “the principle of the proposed serviced apartments is considered acceptable”, subject to meeting council policies.
