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Untapped potential of historic police HQ to be unlocked

January 17 2023

Untapped potential of historic police HQ to be unlocked

The future is looking brighter for Glasgow's B-listed former Central Police Headquarters amidst moves to convert the heritage asset to apartments.

Standing at the junction of Turnbull and St Andrew Street opposite St Andrews in the Square the plan is to preserve as much of the surviving 1906 fabric as possible including stone carvings and motifs.

Detail proposes to insert 45 new apartments within the structure, arranged around a communal central garden within a rear courtyard, accessible via a gated pend from Turnbull Street. Key changes include the infill of a 3m gap at the second floor on St Andrews Street, following historic precedent, as well as the reinstatement of two ground floor windows on Turnbull Street.

A 'watch tower' within the courtyard will also be retained from the roof level with concealed steel beams below supporting the structure. This permits the necessary layout changes for conversion to apartments.

The red brick cell blocks will also be retained with new windows framed by a smooth concrete effect render with light green powder-coated aluminium metalwork. To avoid potential issues around privacy windows to the rear take the form of protruding pods to angle views at 45 degrees.

 

Cell blocks will be opened up for light and access, while retaining their industrial character
Cell blocks will be opened up for light and access, while retaining their industrial character
Detailing such as a 'Let Glasgow flourish' motif will be retained
Detailing such as a 'Let Glasgow flourish' motif will be retained

The current structure is fairly assessed to be 'dilapidated'
The current structure is fairly assessed to be 'dilapidated'
The upper portion of a 'look out tower' will maintain its watch
The upper portion of a 'look out tower' will maintain its watch

7 Comments

David
#1 Posted by David on 17 Jan 2023 at 15:41 PM
Great proposal, hope it moves forward quickly.
Georwell 84
#2 Posted by Georwell 84 on 17 Jan 2023 at 16:20 PM
Lets hope the building is secured against arson till this project is completed.
spike
#3 Posted by spike on 17 Jan 2023 at 16:49 PM
Excellent news, really hope this receives planning approval and a start on site achieved soon.
Fat Bloke on Tour
#4 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 18 Jan 2023 at 10:41 AM
Basic point -- who allowed this set of buildings to fall into such a state?

Is it just laziness or some sort of long term plan which sees the empty site as more valuable than a set of pre-used buildings with conservation issues?

Is it private sector greed or public sector ignorance?
Lou Corboozier
#5 Posted by Lou Corboozier on 18 Jan 2023 at 11:07 AM
Pretty bad form that the article makes no mention of the architect. Why the mystery?
John Glenday
#6 Posted by John Glenday on 18 Jan 2023 at 11:14 AM
@5 The practice name is Detail, of Otago Street. A little confusing.
Lou Corboozier
#7 Posted by Lou Corboozier on 18 Jan 2023 at 16:15 PM
@6
Doh!! ????

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