April 17 2025

New plans for a contentious apartment block in Glasgow's west end have been drawn up to better integrate with the historic Hillhead address.

Following discussions with Glasgow City Council EMA Architects and Wemyss Properties have swapped out buff for red sandstone in the latest design revision, with the roof switched to grey standing seam zinc. The main entrance has also been pushed back to provide a deeper recess.

The ground floor plan has also been updated to include an additional dual-aspect flat while a relocated bin store is now accessible from the main lobby.

Summarising the latest changes EMA wrote: "One of the most notable changes is to the façades along Cranworth Street and Cresswell Street. The window arrangements, particularly on the upper floors, have been rationalised, with the dormer windows reduced in size. This adjustment ensures a more consistent rhythm in the facade that aligns more closely with the proportions and design language of the adjacent tenements."

Salvaged features from the B-listed Hillhead Baptist Church, to be demolished to make way for the development, such as columns, stonework and windows will be displayed in a courtyard garden. 

5 Comments

#1 Posted by Automat on 17 Apr 2025 at 10:26 AM

If this was a gap site I would say this is a reasonable effort at creating new housing within a tenemental context. However the loss of the B listed church on this site is appauling. What is the point of listing buildings if it doesn't protect them from neglect and demoliton?

#2 Posted by Roddy_ on 17 Apr 2025 at 11:06 AM

The loss of the church would be yet another piece of heritage fabric lost forever. I wonder if this is now a fait accomli?
As for the design, one suspects that the architects know that the corner element where the set-back storey is, is really jarring and incongruent but are forced to go with a design maximising floor area. It is clear that this needs development IF it is to go ahead. One just hopes that our betters in City Design think the same way.

#3 Posted by Emlyn on 17 Apr 2025 at 11:43 AM

Fully agree with the above comments. So sad if the city allows the church be demolished!

I like this design, but it's still not justified.

#4 Posted by Big Chungus on 17 Apr 2025 at 16:22 PM

This is how you do it.
https://stallanbrand.com/projects/hillhead-baptist-church/

#5 Posted by Mark on 18 Apr 2025 at 12:39 PM

Looks good. The existing building isn't particularly interesting aesthetically and won't be any great loss.

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