The Egyptian Halls, a historic building designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, has been vacant for decades and covered in scaffolding. Glasgow City Council is considering using a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire the building for redevelopment.
A canvas façade depicting the halls at their former glory now conceals the scaffolding in front of the building. Glasgow City Council is contemplating the use of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to compel the sale of a historic building that has remained vacant for decades. The A-listed Egyptian Halls , designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson , has been shrouded in scaffolding for over 15 years.
Next week, councillors will deliberate on whether to utilize a CPO to transfer the Union Street building to a new proprietor for redevelopment, encompassing plans for a food market and hotel. The council disclosed that the owner of the Egyptian Halls recently declined a bid to purchase the building from a consortium led by arts guide The List and real estate company Ediston. Council documents revealed that the proposals included a novel food market or restaurant development on the lower floors, with a hotel situated on the upper floors. It would involve the preservation of the existing structure and the creation of a 'modest extension' to the roof to accommodate additional floor space. A spokesperson for The List stated: 'The List is actively collaborating with Glasgow City Council and a multitude of organizations to deliver a unique initiative for the city of Glasgow that amalgamates the finest of Scotland's food and drink while restoring the A-Listed Egyptian Halls.' The council asserted that the presence of a 'deteriorating building' at such a prominent location - opposite Glasgow Central Station - was exerting a 'significantly detrimental economic, social, and environmental impact' on the city center. Constructed in 1872 as commercial premises for an iron manufacturer, the Egyptian Halls is regarded as one of Thomson's masterpieces. The upper floors fell into disuse in the 1980s, and the council stated that it had endeavored to engage with the owner to revitalize the building without success. Six years ago, the building was included among Europe's most endangered structures due to concerns that its current state of limbo could persist for years until it becomes beyond repair.Historic Environment Scotland declared the Egyptian Halls to be 'rightly considered one of Glasgow’s finest and most iconic buildings.' However, a spokeswoman emphasized that the building necessitates investment for structural and fabric repairs, as well as a contemporary fit-out. She stated that the building was in a 'fair condition' and 'reasonably weathertight' thereby enabling its realistic utilization once more. The council must evaluate proposals from any other interested parties, including the owner, before it can proceed with promoting a CPO. Ruairi Kelly, convener for built heritage at the council, remarked: 'The Egyptian Halls are an architectural treasure of national significance situated right in the heart of our city.' While there is no indication of a viable plan forthcoming from the building's owners, the concern is that the Halls continue to deteriorate.' He stated that councillors will be asked to determine whether 'the time is right' to explore the utilization of CPO powers to acquire the building. Mr. Kelly added: 'CPOs can be lengthy and intricate legal processes, but this would constitute the initial major step towards the repair and reuse of this magnificent edifice, bringing a segment of Glasgow's heritage back into city life, with numerous positive ramifications for our city center.' Niall Murphy, director at Glasgow City Heritage Trust, welcomed the council's initiative and asserted that it could assist in 'resolving the current stalemate.' The Egyptian Halls is Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's commercial masterpiece, but, regrettably, has been on Scotland's Buildings at Risk Register since 1990. 'Reintroducing the building into sustainable reuse will contribute to the regeneration of this section of the city center while ensuring a future for one of the architectural gems in Glasgow's crown.' Dundee businessman Derek Soutar, who owns the building through companies Union Street Properties Ltd and Union Street Investments Ltd, has been contacted for comment
Egyptian Halls Glasgow City Council Compulsory Purchase Order Historic Building Alexander 'Greek' Thomson Redevelopment
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