A prominent historic complex in Coatbridge is being transformed into 43 new council homes for rent as part of a wider regeneration of the town centre.

The former Municipal Buildings on Kildonan Street, long vacant, are being brought back into productive use while preserving key elements of the town's heritage. Housing Convener Michael McPake visited the site with local councillors Kirsten Larson and Bill Shields to view progress.

Standing at the junction of Kildonan Street, Muiryhall Street and Dunbeth Road, the Grade B-listed buildings were constructed in 1894 as the headquarters of the Burgh of Coatbridge, established in 1885. Part of the original structure was lost to a fire in 1967, with a new four-storey wing added in 1991. The complex served as council offices until they were vacated in 2022.

Plans will retain and refurbish significant parts of the existing fabric while adapting the site for modern living. The scheme comprises 43 residential units, a central residents' amenity area, parking with electric vehicle provision, and secure cycle and bin storage.

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The former council chambers will be preserved and repurposed to provide commercial and touchdown office space, keeping notable architectural features active in the town centre. The project also includes partial demolition of the former police wing, retaining the Muiryhall Street façade and east gable, along with a rooftop extension to the northern wing to create additional homes.

Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of Housing, said: "We're taking a building that has been empty and bringing it back into use in a way that respects its history while meeting the needs of people living in Coatbridge today.

"The 43 new council homes will provide good-quality, affordable places to live, while the work on this important historic building will help breathe new life into a key part of the town centre. We're regenerating places, making better use of vacant and underused sites and investing in communities for the long term.

"We're committed to delivering 6,000 new affordable homes by 2035, and projects like this are helping us create more housing choice while supporting the wider regeneration of North Lanarkshire. We want people to have homes they can be proud of and communities that are good places to live."

The £18.4 million redevelopment and conversion contract was awarded to CCG (Scotland) Ltd in February 2026, with the Glasgow-based construction and manufacturing group commencing works in the spring.

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: "Kildonan Street is a very important project for Coatbridge, having played a central role in the town for over 130 years. To this day, it is still looked upon with great affection by all areas of the community, so CCG is very proud to be playing our part in ensuring its legacy lives on for many years to come - and what better way to do so than by creating new affordable homes.

"We thank North Lanarkshire Council for bringing us on board, and we look forward to working with them and our much-valued design team partners in the months ahead."