O'DonnellBrown has been commissioned by Glasgow City Council to produce a RIBA Stage 2 concept design for a temporary, phased activation of the fire-damaged site at the corner of Union Street and Gordon Street, following the blaze in March that destroyed a Category B-listed, five-storey building.

Dating from 1851 and designed by James Brown, the building was a significant part of Glasgow’s architectural heritage and housed a variety of businesses at the time of the incident. Demolition, scaffold removal, site clearance and stabilisation of the gable walls are due to conclude later this month, after which the land will be handed back to the owners. Hoardings will be installed to present the site ahead of the interim scheme being put in place.

Over the next three to four months, the design team will develop proposals intended to bring the plot back into use in the short to medium term—over roughly the next four years—while longer-term plans are worked up. The concept will be shaped by the site’s historic context, its prominence in the city centre, the owners’ requirements and the high levels of footfall in the area.

Potential features include commercial and cultural uses, together with temporary structures and installations. The concept will be adaptable throughout the meanwhile period and is expected to consider the site’s edges, ground plane, gables and air space.

-- Advertisement --

The council, owners and other stakeholders share an ambition to reintroduce activity as quickly as possible, and some of the businesses affected by the fire are keen to participate in this interim phase. Initial activation is anticipated later this year and could be delivered in stages.

In parallel, the council is assessing wider proposals to improve the public realm around Central Station.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "The final and permanent development of the fire site will take time - but neither the council nor the owners are prepared to see such a crucial city centre space lie empty while that takes shape. Finding an appropriate 'meanwhile' use for the site, which doesn't simply mask the damage but actually attracts people back to this part of the Central Station quarter, is going to be vitally important to support its ongoing recovery.

"I'm delighted we have expert, local partners working on that already - with the expectation that we will start to see the site coming back into use this year."

David Cook, Chief Executive of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, said: "It is great to see the meanwhile use proposals progress. Everyone in the city wants to see this site reactivated as soon as possible, including the Union Street Fire Recovery stakeholder group tasked with supporting the Council to steer a quick resolution to the challenges of the fire. The long-term solution will inevitably take time due to the complexities and multiple ownerships, so getting life back into this vital part of the city centre before that will be welcomed by all Glaswegians."

Jennifer O'Donnell, Director at O'DonnellBrown, said: "Every city has places that matter, and Union Street Corner is one of them. We're looking forward to working with Glasgow City Council, the site owners and the wider design team, to build on work already undertaken, and develop a shared vision for the site - there is an opportunity to develop an approach that reflects the site's importance within Glasgow's city centre. We believe good stewardship means working collaboratively, building trust and consensus, and making decisions in the short to medium term that support the site's long-term future. We're excited to help shape the next chapter of this important part of Glasgow."