Plans to transform iconic Glasgow nightclub take major step forward
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PLANS to transform an iconic Glasgow venue have taken a major step forward after being submitted to councillors.
The O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street has lain empty for seven years after it was damaged by the fire at the Glasgow School of Art.
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The O2 ABC suffered extensive damage after the blaze at the Glasgow School of Art in June 2018
Credit: PA:Press Association
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Bulldozers demolished the building in October 2024
Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing
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New plans will see the site turned into a new development with student accommodation
Credit: VITA GROUP
The legendary music venue was unable to open its doors after it was ruined by the devastating blaze in June 2018.
Flames from the art school spread to the ABC and tore through the building, as well as Jumping Jaks, the pub next door.
And the O2 ABC has been derelict and lying abandoned ever since, with locals frequently branding the site an "eyesore".
But in January year, plans were revealed to revive the site by developer Vita Group to transform it into modern student accommodation.
The plans involve tearing down the C-listed building and replacing it with the new development, which would house 356 students.
This first part was carried out in the following October with bulldozers demolishing the huge building.
Around 306 of the spaces will be in four, five and six-bedroom flats, and there will also be 50 studio apartments in the new complex.
The ground-floor food hall would provide space for five emerging food brands, with over 400 covers and a large bar.
There would also be space for bars, a gym and a courtyard.
The firm previously said it believes adding the private student halls to the site will help revitalise one of Scotland's busiest streets, which has been left to fall into a "sad and sorry" state.
Huge fire erupts at Glasgow School of Art before spreading to O2 music venue as Sauchiehall Street is evacuated
And now, councillors have been urged to approve the new plans after an application was submitted this week.
However, the document submitted to Glasgow City Council admits that the proposed plans have a "significant issue of the negative impact on the Conservation Area", according to the Glasgow Times.
It adds that "the scale of the proposed development would overall not be considered to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area".
However, despite this, councillors are still being recommended to approve the new development.
The official recommendation states that "this negative impact is considered to be outweighed by the significantly positive impact of developing this site".
This is because the new site could bring a huge £70million investment to Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street if it is successful.
James Rooke, Planning Director for Vita Group, who has successfully created other new sites in Glasgow, told the Glasgow Times: 'We believe our proposals offer a unique approach to student living and the benefits the development will bring extend far beyond the student community.
"It will generate significant economic benefits, will help to reenergise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions.
DJ playing Glasgow's O2 ABC at time of School of Art fire tells of 'blind panic'
THE O2 ABC DJ who was playing at the time of the massive blaze which tore the building apart has described the moment the club was evacuated during his set.
Grant Robertson, 24, was playing the club with his friend Lewis Wake at the time of the fire which started in the Glasgow School of Art.
The flames spread to the adjacent O2 ABC and Campus nightclub and the roof of the Sauchiehall Street club was engulfed in a raging inferno.
Grant and Lewis were interrupted by security guards who urged them to turn the music off and get out of the building.
He said: "It was crazy and bizarre. It was a blind panic. It was about 11pm when we were ushered out.
"Security did a great job - they came up and told us to turn the music off and said 'the Art School is on fire everybody needs to get out.'
"Everyone was ushered to the exits and even on the street the did a good job of shepherding folk out.
"I was just in shock. I was on auto pilot. It still hasn't sunk in."
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'This is an incredibly challenging site to redevelop, and we've worked hard to create proposals that are deliverable and appropriate.'
Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of the Chamber, added: 'It is critical that this key site is brought forward for development as soon as possible.
"There's no doubt it's been a blight on Sauchiehall Street, and we need to secure this much-needed investment, which would be transformational.'
The ABC building was first built in 1875 and was later rebuilt in the 1920s, and has had several renovations over the years.
Before it had been tragically burnt down in the fire, it was regarded as one of the city's busiest and most distinguished live-music venues.
It currently sits between Sauchiehall Street and Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh Building.
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Councillors have been urged to approve the new plans
Credit: VITA GROUP
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