Historic Merchant City building in Glasgow earmarked for restaurant, bar and gallery transformation

Plans have been drawn up to transform a listed building in Glasgow’s Merchant City into a “new destination for work, collaboration and entertainment”.

The B-listed Tontine Building, which fronts High Street, Tontine Lane, Trongate and Bell Street, has been earmarked as the site of a new restaurant, bar, gallery and rooftop pavilion.

An application submitted to Glasgow City Council outlines plans to “rejuvenate the underutilised and largely vacant site” which dates back to the late 18th century.

A design statement explains: “The proposals seek to unlock the potential of the Tontine Building as a new destination for work, collaboration, and entertainment – building on the site’s unique food and beverage history to cater for a changing High Street and working culture.

How the Tontine Building could look following the transformation. Tontine Properties Ltd

“Interventions will be high-quality and contemporary, respecting and building upon the building’s rich heritage.

“Proposals aim to embody the historical significance of the site, reactivating this important edge of the Merchant City and repositioning the Tontine Building as a contemporary, innovative place of work.”

Under the plans, lanes and courtyards within the building would repurposed creating a pedestrianised “public destination”.

A covered colonnade, rooftop pavilion, artists’ residency and coffee bar could also be created if the plans are given the green light.

“The design scope aims to rejuvenate the underutilised and largely vacant site through a combination of responsible demolition, strip-out, retrofit, extension, and fitting out – unifying the Tontine Building as an interconnected ensemble rather than a series of fragmented buildings”, the planning application states.

“A curated journey through interconnected spaces will lead to commercial, retail, and food and beverage offerings, along with end-of-journey facilities, offices, and an activated rooftop.

“The design prioritises the needs of the modern post-Covid tenant, contributing to the revitalisation of an underused historic building in Glasgow’s medieval centre.”

The application is due to go before Glasgow City Council planners.