Parts of the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens could be demolished as planning permission is being sought for the museum's £35.9million refurbishment.
Plans have been submitted to Glasgow City Council asking for consent to demolish 1990s elements of the building, including the existing kitchen, toilets, retail space and staff accommodation, as well as the removal of all existing services and plants.
The proposals also say there would be a partial demolition and rebuild of the existing 1990s stair and lift towers, alterations including the addition of new sanitary provision, staff facilities, kitchen, seating, museum retail space and learning suites, and extensive repairs throughout the building.
It’s hoped the changes would make the A-listed building, located on Glasgow Green, more “accessible, inclusive and sustainable”.
The museum of social history, which is home to collections documenting the city’s history from 1750 to the present day, is owned by Glasgow City Council and operated by Glasgow Life, while the Winter Gardens are managed by the council’s Neighbourhood, Regeneration and Sustainability services (NRS).
The proposed layout of the Winter Gardens would allow the space to be used for a variety of both private and public events.
At each entrance to the Gardens, new pods would be built which would have amenities such as toilets and baby change facilities.
They would also accommodate the kitchen and servery for the cafe, which would be located within the glasshouse alongside a welcome desk.
The new lift would be remodelled to accommodate a new 13-person lift, allowing more efficient access.
Commenting on the space created by alterations, the Supporting Design Statement says: “The freed-up floorplates will allow maximum flexibility for the new museum installation.
“While the floor plans are presented as a blank canvas in this document, they will in reality be filled with an exciting and interesting museum experience.”
A building condition report highlighted urgent and necessary work that needs to be done on the roof, walls, sculptures, and windows.
It says a total of around £68,000 would need to be spent on repairs to nine female allegorical statues.
The Conservation Management Plan states: "The museum is in fair condition overall and remains structurally stable.
“It exhibits localised defects associated with historic detailing, weathering performance, and the cumulative effects of repair, alteration, and material ageing.
“These are most evident in masonry pointing, joinery, and weathering details, where elements are approaching the end of their serviceable life.”
The People’s Palace closed to the public in April 2024 for the refurbishment project.
The Glasgow Times reported earlier this year that there was no confirmed timescale on when the museum and Winter Gardens would reopen to the public.
The estimated budget for the refurbishment project is £35.9m, of which £12.5m will be raised through fundraising.
The museum and adjoining glasshouses were previously closed to the public in January 2019 after structural engineers ruled they were no longer safe.
The People’s Palace re-opened, but the Winter Gardens have remained closed since then, and relations between campaigners fighting to save the venues and Glasgow Life have been strained.
Construction on the People’s Palace began in April 1885, before it was officially opened to the public on January 22, 1898.
It was designed by architect William Brown Whitie, under the supervision of engineer A. M. MacDonald.
A decision on the plans is expected by September 16.
Documents for application 26/01531/LBA can be found on the Glasgow City Council website via the planning portal.
