Homes planned for 'redundant' offices on Union Street opposite Glasgow Central station

Upper floor offices opposite Glasgow Central station could be turned into homes under a new plan.

Glasgow City Council has received an application to convert “redundant” offices on Union Street — next to the Egyptian Halls — into 13 flats.

Anderson Strathern, the firm behind the scheme, believes the proposal would “make the city a more appealing place to live by providing flats of high quality design located in the heart of the city.”

The ground floor unit is set to remain in retail or cafe use.

Council policies encourage the growth of the city centre population and the residential conversion of upper floors.

Documents submitted with the application state: “The proposed development at Union Street seeks to introduce residential apartments to a well-established street, utilising the vacant upper floors.

“The introduction of flats to Union Street will increase footfall in the area, increase local spending, reduce emissions with public transport links, and assist in the continuity of the day to night transition.”

The applicants claim the building at 114 Union Street is “unsuitable office accommodation”, with various floors “vacant for some time”.

They added the “few remaining tenants are moving out to more suitable premises” and property agents have advised there is “little chance of finding new tenants.”

“It is therefore essential, to avoid deterioration of the fabric and for the greater good of the environment, that this development proceeds,” the application states.

Under the plan, the facade of the building, which is not listed, will be retained while the applicants say the proposal will increase “the number of liveable spaces within the city centre without constructing a new building, in-turn reducing emissions throughout the building process.”

Windows to the front and back of the building will be replaced. Each of the upper floors could “house two two-bedroom apartments and one one-bedroom apartment.”