Restoration of Egyptian Halls could begin 'within the year' after 30 years derelict

Restoration work could start on the A-listed Glasgow Egyptian Halls within the next year as Glasgow City Council looks at powers to buy the property.

A developer has approached the council with a potential rescue plan for the building, which could include a hotel and restaurant and an extension to the roof.

Councillors have approved the investigation of the use of compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers and decided to seek proposals for the repair and future use of the building at the contracts and property committee.

The Egyptian Halls have been vacant and derelict in the upper floors for more than three decades, with only the ground floor being partially occupied.

The building has also been on the National Buildings at Risk Register since 1990.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly said: “This has obviously been a very long saga in the city not just for the council but the people of Glasgow. We are talking nearly 30 years since it first began.

“There is a generation of people in the city that have probably never seen the building without scaffolding on it.”

He added: “I’m expecting in the next year or so we will see actual restoration work beginning on the Egyptian Halls and this will be the first of many.”

If successful the CPO will transfer the property to a party who has best satisfied a development brief and come forward with a feasible plan for the future of the Egyptian Halls.

Concerns have been mounting about the at-risk building deteriorating further, potentially causing public safety concerns.

The council has already served a defective building notice on the owners to carry out repairs and address issues with the front façade and parapet wall.