A former Dunnes Stores building in Glasgow could be transformed in a 112-bedroom hotel, complete with cafe and restaurant.

The Manor Property Group have submitted a planning application for Scotland's First Qtel Hotel development on Sauchiehall Street.

The project will represent an investment of more than £12 million. Proposals include a rooftop extension to provide bedroom accommodation, while the ground floor will house the hotel reception and bar/restaurant and lounge. The basement will feature a private hotel gym, meeting rooms for hire and back of house accommodation.

Mark Bailey, director of Manor Property Group said: "The plans for our first Qtel branded hotel, on Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street, will see this Art Deco building, formerly Dunnes department store, given a new lease of life, deliver a 112-bedroom hotel, all day café bar and restaurant; and create 50 full time jobs.

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"We have identified hotels as a key area for development and intend to expand our existing nine hotel portfolio by developing six more hotels of 100+ guestrooms, with the possibility of further expansion once this milepost has been reached."

Mosaic has been appointed to lead the project. Director Stephen Mallon added: "It is an honour to be involved in this prestigious development for Manor Property Group.It is hoped that this development will add to the recent investment in this part of Sauchiehall Street, including the Willow Tea Rooms and the Sauchiehall Centre, to reinvigorate this part of the street, tying-in with the council's Avenues initiative, currently under construction further along Sauchiehall Street.

"The design is one we feel is respectful of the existing building and context, using a traditional mansard form re-interpreted in a modern fashion with new materiality. While undertaking research into the existing property, we discovered that the now demolished building that sat on the site previously was Glasgow's very own 'Balmoral Hotel'; something of which I was unaware of before our involvement, but which seems to provide a neat symmetry for this project."

Built in 1929, the existing building was known affectionately to many Glaswegians as the C&A department store. The building will now commence a new chapter in its life as a Qtel – budget boutique hotel, where city-goers can meet in convivial surrounding, whilst visitors to the city can stay in stylish comfort.

(MH)