THE historic ABC venue in Glasgow has been served with a Dangerous Building Notice – requiring it to be demolished.
The notice, served by Glasgow City Council, requires developer OBARCS to “demolish and remove the front and side facades along with their immediately attached floor and roof structures along with any other unstable, collapsed or affected and adjoining construction, fixtures and fittings”.
According to the notice, the demolition work “must be commenced” by September 30 and completed by December 9.
The venue used to be one of the city’s busiest live-music venues before it was devastated in the Glasgow School of Art fire in June 2018.
The former cinema-turned-nightclub has been derelict since the fire spilled over to its roof, tearing through the structure.
It has been home to various cinemas as well as an ice-skating rink and the Hengler’s Circus between 1904 and 1927.
In January, urban regeneration company Vita Group unveiled plans to transform the historic venue into a mixed-use development featuring a food hall and student accommodation.
It has no plan to retain any aspect of the historic cinema, including its famous façade which still remains a feature of the Glasgow city centre streetscape.
A public consultation on the proposals on the “first in Scotland” food hall and public courtyard was held in February.
Above this there will be a provision for student housing.
Vita Group is planning to introduce its “House of Social” brand to the city, which would see a “bustling destination food hall” that would allow Glasgow’s concept restaurants to introduce their brand to the city.
James Rooke, head of planning for Vita Group, said: “Glasgow’s undersupply of student accommodation is well documented and continues to impact on Glasgow’s rental market, reducing available homes across the city.
"With this proposal, we aim to reduce this shortfall in available accommodation with homes specifically designed around the needs of students in their second and third year who tend to find their way into the residential rental landscape.”
The building sits between Sauchiehall Street and Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Building.
Design proposals include an urban park providing “a space for all whilst respecting the world-famous Mackintosh architecture”.
The Vita group has previously invested in the city with its Vita Student West End residence.
In April, it also submitted plans for affordable housing and student accommodation for a site on India Street in central Glasgow following a series of public consultations.
The proposal for the brownfield site includes the provision of 20 new affordable apartments which will be delivered with partner West of Scotland Housing Association and will be made up of 10 one-bedroom apartments suitable for single people or couples, with 10 two-bedroom apartments, suitable for families.
Stuart Patrick, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: “Sauchiehall Street has been identified as one of the biggest challenges we face, and the ABC is just one of the many current blights on this vital artery which highlight the scale of that challenge.
“It has, as a result, been singled out in the Council’s Golden Z report as deserving top priority for regeneration and renewal, so it is with open arms that we welcome Vita’s plans.
“Their track record speaks for itself, and we see this as a major step forward in the city’s regeneration journey.”
