STV NewsGlasgow’s Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed Lighthouse building could be given a new lease of life as councillors consider new proposals.
Talks have been held between Sustainable Ventures Ltd and Glasgow City Council over a deal to lease the building.
Councillors will be asked to approve negotiations over the lease on Thursday.
It is hoped the project will secure “private sector investment that will transform the Lighthouse into a net zero innovation hub”.
Google MapsThe A-listed building was previously home to The Herald newspaper and Scotland’s Centre for Architecture and Design.
Most of the property has been closed to the public since the start of the Covid pandemic – including the Mackintosh Interpretation Centre and the viewing platform at the very top.
STV NewsStuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, believes a “lack of vision” is to blame.
He told STV: “There’s a lot of built heritage that’s being allowed to decay in this city and we’re fighting that cause. I think there’s a lack of vision in this city.
STV News“It’s hard to unravel the council’s philosophy. I mean, Glasgow’s a really dynamic city, but I think since the pandemic it’s really struggled.”
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for development, built heritage, housing and land use, told STV News it is an opportunity to secure a “productive use” for the building.
“So that, not only is it accessible to the public, but that it has people using it day-to-day, maintaining it, caring for it,” he said.
STV News“Without something like this, all we’re going to see is more of the same. If we don’t change how we address some of these problems we’re just going to see the further degradation of buildings across the city.”
A report to councillors states the scheme could secure the long-term future of the building and support local supply chains.
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