January 14 2025

A B-listed warehouse on Glasgow's Trongate could soon be wearing a new hat under proposals to convert the property to offices.

Holmes Miller Architects has been appointed by Deans Civil Engineering to provide additional rooftop floor space at 97 Trongate, replacing the existing attic.

Building on a 2017 consent, the latest plans will rebuild the roof to provide a fifth floor of accommodation while respecting the vertical rhythm of the J.T. Rochhead main facade.

Outlining their proposals in detail Holmes Miller wrote: "The vertical emphasis will be created by a feature projecting pier which references the pilasters below, the rest of the wall face and window will sit behind. The window placement between the piers will also allude to the fenestration below, with jambs either side and a head panel, creating a contemporary stripped version of the typical bays below. To contrast with the blonde ashlar stonework of the façade the new attic wall will be clad in a lightweight metal cladding with a light beige tone.

"A capping piece will then provide a unifying parapet to the new wall, referencing the strong horizontal lines of the cornices at each floor below."

The new addition will be set back from the corner junction to give breathing space to a decorative crest and parapet. 

6 Comments

#1 Posted by Roddy_ on 14 Jan 2025 at 15:51 PM

It just goes to show that while you may have the ability to construct a narrative about a premodern building - pilasters, piers, fenestration, ashlar - etc etc,ticking all the bingo boxes - it does not mean that your design is sympathetic or particularly well articulated.
The viz probably doesn't do this scheme any favours, it sort of looks a bit like the buff coloured GRP panels which were de rigeur circa early 90's. The form is a poor, stripped down classicism that strangely draws more attention to itself than perhaps the designers envisaged or wanted.
Perhaps if the materials were darker it would allow the ballustrade and cornucopia sculpture to be read against the attic extension and molify the visual clutter at the original parapet. Ironically a bolder form might be much more visually pleasing.

#2 Posted by All Miller no Thriller on 14 Jan 2025 at 16:37 PM

This feels - almost perversely given the current context in Glasgow - like it could have done with a little more height. The open corner formed by the two adjacent gables has never sat particularly comfortably surrounded by the proud turrets, domes, and castelations on the other corners up and down the trongate. I think the set-back is appropriate, but the extension could have been pushed to the ridge line of the adjacent buildings, maybe even a story higher. Whether the aversion to doing that is a product of planning restriction, financial unease, or lack of ambition I don't know, but the proposal leaves me wanting.

#3 Posted by town planner on 15 Jan 2025 at 22:33 PM

Sadly have to echo almost entirely the two posts above. I think the scheme would benefit from at least a couple more stories to bring the height up to that of its neighbours.

Difficult to say too much about the design given the limited pics, but the fact it's set back feels a bit apologetic, like an acceptance that it can't live with the fantastic sandstone building beneath it.

Would loved to have seen more ambition for a corner site, that could really have gone to town with something taller and of an interesting design. Perhaps there's just not the money for such schemes in Glasgow?

#4 Posted by Automat on 16 Jan 2025 at 12:05 PM

Well done to all invovled. An existing building that looks at have a vacant upper being given a new life.

I agree the metal cladding might not look the finest againts the stonework, but there is a bigger picture here of re-using existing buildings which needs to be celebrated.

#5 Posted by Maboza Ritchie on 19 Jan 2025 at 10:10 AM

Feel it needed more height.

#6 Posted by MiniLad on 20 Jan 2025 at 15:45 PM

Great to see an old above-street building in the city centre getting a new lease on life! It’s hard to imagine how much more could be spent on a project with such a small footprint and limited revenue potential.

I heard this building had been on the risk register for years, so hats off to the client and team for bringing this little gem back to life. Bravo!

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