Scottish stars get look of Glasgow building's transformation project
The team behind the AC Hotel by Marriott have unveiled plans for the historic building, which is set to become a major wedding and event destination.
Now named The Collector's Hall, the building is being restored and reimagined to blend Glasgow's rich heritage with contemporary luxury.
Read more: Glasgow housing scheme opens for public sale starting from just over £200k
It boasts architectural features such as vaulted ceilings and intricate stonework, along with a dramatic glass-roofed courtyard, aiming to provide a unique backdrop for various events.
The venue, situated just off George Square, is expected to open this summer.
The transformation project was showcased in an exclusive walkthrough of the venue in its under-construction state by Jennifer Reoch, Jean Johansson, and Gordon Smart.
The cinematic preview, shared by the team, gave viewers a glimpse of the potential of the space, which is being designed to host everything from intimate dinners to world-class conferences and unforgettable weddings.
Jean Johansson, presenter, said: 'I know it looks unfinished now, but I want you to close your eyes and imagine the music, the laughter, the vows, the most iconic event'.
The building, which has been dormant for several years, has a rich history.
Built originally as Glasgow's City Parish Hall, it has been a silent witness to more than a century of civic life, community gatherings, and historic milestones.
Now, its new transformation has been described as "elegant, ambitious and unapologetically Glaswegian".
Read more: Global retailer opens stunning 'new' store at Glasgow shopping centre
Craig Munro, general manager of AC by Marriott Glasgow, explained the vision behind the project.
He said: "The Collector's Hall is about legacy.
"We're building something that doesn't just serve today's needs but inspires future generations of celebration, connection and creativity.
"This first glimpse is only the beginning."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I scooped huge National Lottery win and quit my job hours later… here's what I do day to day
Plus, how one woman helps lottery winners splash the cash QUIDS IN I scooped huge National Lottery win and quit my job hours later… here's what I do day to day Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM-of-four has revealed how her life has transformed after scooping thousands of pounds in the National lottery. Olivia Love, 36, received the life-changing call on May 16, telling her she had won £10,000 a month for the next year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Lottery Winners Olivia and Kevin said the win was life-changing Credit: ALAN PEEBLES PHOTOGRAPHY 3 The pair went on a shopping trip together to celebrate 3 The win comes after years working at a supermarket kiosk Credit: ALAN PEEBLES PHOTOGRAPHY After receiving the news of her massive win, the Glaswegian pulled the plug on her supermarket job and spent £750 going shopping. But she said she is still processing the news. Olivia, who was previously on Universal credit to help with childcare, said she still thinks this is a "vivid dream" and will one day be woken up. She told Metro: "I just didn't believe it, I still don't believe it. I keep thinking this is a really vivid dream and at some point somebody is going to pinch me. "It's hard to put into words how much this means to me." Before striking gold, the supermarket worker earned £800 a month working at a kiosk. But now she has her sights set on a career in content creation. She's already amassed 200,000 views by sharing videos on TikTok about how her life has changed since her lucky win. In addition to taking her husband out shopping and leaving her job, Olivia has also started getting more help around the house. She's employed cleaners and gardeners - and even has somebody who picks up her laundry. Despite feeling "anxious" about all the money, she said "everyone is happy for us" and hasn't been bothered by people asking for cash. For lotto hopefuls she's advised just giving the game a shot. She said: "It is just a game of chance. You can win." According to one woman, lottery winners have a plethora of requests and ambitions after claiming their funds. Amanda Herrera runs a specialist concierge service which helps National Lottery millionaires and high net worth individuals splash their cash. Amanda's service - called The Fixer - has handled over 5,000 bespoke requests from more than 600 new National Lottery millionaires. From booking luxury cruises to Antarctica to arranging meet-and-greets with hard-to-access celebrities, no request is too extravagant for the concierge professional. During the last five years, The Fixer has spent more than £4M chartering private jets for winners, and more than 500 dream holidays have been booked for family and friends as winners want to share their joy and celebrate with those closest to them. All big winners of the National Lottery receive specialist advice and support from experts from the operators, Allwyn. 'The Fixer' then steps in to 'add the magic touch' and help winners navigate their new lives - and big dreams - with flair. One of Amanda's most frequent requests from many winners is flying pet pooches with their owners to some of the most exclusive locations around the world – all because winners haven't wanted their dogs to miss out on the celebrations. Amanda said: 'It can be a daunting experience - it sounds crazy to say - but imagine going from having a small amount of money in the bank to suddenly having millions - just like that. 'It is one incredible journey that these winners are embarking on, and I feel so honoured to be able to play such an important role in crafting and creating bespoke and unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experiences for these incredibly lucky individuals. 'A new designer watch or handbag, a VIP trip to the Grand Prix in Monaco or a VIP world cricket tour, a meet and greet with a superstar or a private showing of Cirque de Soleil on your chosen desert island – these are all real experiences enjoyed by winners which we have helped to create.'
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
'I won the National Lottery - this is what I now do day to day'
A mum-of-four is hoping to turn her dream job into a reality after scooping £10,000 a month for a year on the National Lottery – but not before ticking off her ultimate shopping list. Olivia Love, 36, did what we all say we would do in her shoes and quit her job at a local supermarket after hearing the life-changing news. Since marrying last year, she has had her heart set on building a new career in wedding content creation. Now, thanks to her win, she and her husband are busy making those fantasies come true. The Glaswegian told Metro her reaction when she received the call telling her she had won on May 16. 'I just didn't believe it, I still don't believe it. I keep thinking this is a really vivid dream and at some point somebody is going to pinch me,' she said. 'It's hard to put into words how much this means to me.' The life-changing sum of money means a lot to Olivia who has struggled with money in the past. She earned £800-a-month before working in a supermarket's customer-service kiosk. Olivia was also on Universal Credit to subsidise her £1,800-a-month childcare costs. 'I still feel a bit nauseous if I'm being honest about it especially when I think about how much money it is,' she said. 'I'm not used to having any money. I'm used to having literal pennies left in the bank. I feel less anxious because I don't have to worry about the bills. 'Suddenly having thousands blows my mind.' Olivia and her husband went for some breakfast after dropping the kids off at his parents after they found out about the win. They then went on a shopping spree. 'I was trying to convince Kevin to buy some clothes. All he really wanted was a new pair of jeans and a new car. They weren't even expensive jeans, just jeans from Next. 'He's not much of a spender, I'm definitely the spender in the family. 'I went into Victoria's Secret and spent a whopping £750. That was my Pretty Woman moment.' Since the big win, Olivia's day-to-day life has changed as she gets more help around the house. This includes a team of cleaners who helped declutter her home and somebody who cleared her garden. She even has somebody who picks up her laundry and the next day brings it back all washed, dried and folded. When Olivia worked in the kiosk, she came across people buying lottery tickets which inspired her to get involved. But she admitted she did not play often and feels lucky to have won the money she has. 'Everybody is happy for us and nobody is asking for money which is nice. 'I haven't really come into contact with many people since the win. Over the years I've kept my social circle really small so I don't have any friends. 'We had a late miscarriage a couple of years ago. When I was in the midst of grief I just stopped talking to everyone. 'When I came out of that shadow there was nobody left. It is just me, my husband and the kids and that is the way we like it.' Olivia has been speaking about her massive tax-free win on her TikTok account. Some of her videos, which include how she found out, what happens if she dies and was it a lucky dip have more than 200,000 views each. More Trending She now plans to set up a wedding content creation business. Olivia has always wanted to pursue this career direction but was held back by her job and the income she relied on. She had this advice for people who are considering entering the lottery but have their doubts. 'It is just a game of chance. You can win, you just have to be in it to win it.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The UK's most affordable seaside town is a 'paradise' with £220,000 average house prices MORE: Schoolboy who left teacher disfigured after throwing her onto concrete spared jail MORE: Experts reveal how you could win Friday's £208,000,000 EuroMillions jackpot
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Scottish singer on Glasgow roots and the return of 90s band
Everything comes around, agrees Grahame Skinner, probably best known as vocalist of internationally successful 80s funk-soul-pop band Hipsway, but also for an assortment of other Scottish musical outfits: The White Savages, The Jazzateers, The Skinner Group, The Cowboy Mouth. In most, his partner-in-crime has been Douglas MacIntyre, musician, producer and founder of Frets Concerts at the Strathaven Hotel. The two men met at the latter's 21st birthday party and formed a short-lived band, White Savages, who were influenced by the New York sound of Television and early Talking Heads. The bass player in White Savages was Douglas's friend Laughlin Allan, who had been in a band at school in Strathaven with drummer Dougie Hannah. Now, Douglas, Dougie and Laughlin join Grahame as the revamped, revitalised The Cowboy Mouth, who play Frets on Friday (June 6). The Cowboy Mouth - Dougie Hannah, Douglas MacIntyre, Grahame Skinner and Laughlin Allan (Image: Les Hoggan Photography) 'The connections between us all go back years,' nods Grahame. 'Douglas and I had drifted apart, musically – I was in London, he was in Glasgow, but we remained friends. He started up Frets, and said, maybe we should do something…' Around the same time, visionary Glaswegian record label Late Night From Glasgow, which has released assorted albums by Scottish bands of the 1980s and 1990s under its Past Night From Glasgow imprint, re-released The Cowboy Mouth's first album, Life as a Dog, on vinyl. 'We thought we might do a wee show, just to cap that off, so we did Frets and it was great,' says Grahame. 'We really loved playing together.' He adds, wryly: 'Like most things I do it either happens pretty naturally, or not at all…..' Grahame Skinner (Image: Newsquest) The band has since performed at gigs in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and recently unveiled their excellent new album, Faultlines, at a Last Night From Glasgow showcase in Cottier's Theatre, to great acclaim. The new record is a triumph, a mix of upbeat pop and melodic reflection, with Grahame's voice as rich and soulful as it ever was. 'Well, thanks,' he says. 'You make it for yourself, and you hope other people like it. And anybody I've spoken to who's heard it has liked it, so I can't really ask for more than that.' Grahame grew up in Maryhill, a couple of streets away from where he now stays in Kelvinbridge. His early musical influences are a diverse mix, he acknowledges. 'My mother got out of bed and put the radio on,' he says. 'Whether I wanted to or not, I was listening to music all the time. 'And my granny played the piano in pubs. There's always been music in my life.' He 'fell into' bands, he says. Grahame Skinner (Image: Newsquest) 'I used to hang about with pals who went to Strathclyde Uni and they were all in bands – I ended up being in a band with a guy I hardly knew, a friend of a friend," he says. "That's what you had to do in Glasgow back then, there were just so many bands.' The 80s was a great time for music in Glasgow, he agrees. Hipsway (Image: Newsquest) 'There were huge bands coming out of the city – Simple Minds, Altered Images, The Bluebells and, I'd like to think, Hipsway,' he says. 'It never felt competitive. We all knew each other, we were friends, and many of us still are.' At the band's peak, Hipsway (original line up Grahame, Harry Travers, Pim Jones and Johnny McElhone) had a gold-selling album, performed on Top of The Pops, supported Eurythmics and Simple Minds, and headlined their own American tour. They have reformed once before, releasing their first album in 30 years and selling out the Barrowland, but there are currently no plans to do so again, says Grahame. 'Never say never,' he acknowledges. 'I'm not Hipsway on my own. I'd only do it if Pim wanted to do it.' Music in Glasgow is 'like a religion', says Grahame. 'People in the city go absolutely bonkers for music,' he marvels. 'People come to the city to play gigs and I mean, I've never heard of them, but they are selling out huge venues. People know their music in Glasgow, whatever kind of music it is.' He grins. 'My uncle used to sing songs from Carmen. He was a signalman on the railway. 'Never underestimate a Glaswegian, they will always surprise you.' There has been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing in his life and musical career, he acknowledges – from Glasgow to London and back again, in and out of bands. He takes a moment to consider whether the here and now is finally where he feels most settled. 'You never know what's round the corner, but I do love this line-up,' he says. 'It's such a laugh – the easiest record I've ever made." Another album might be on the cards, adds Grahame. 'I've got lots of songs, certainly, and Douglas is a songwriting machine, so if we can find some space to record them, maybe…' he says. 'It would be good to do more. I genuinely love these guys." The Cowboy Mouth play Frets on June 6, supported by labelmates Sister John and Chris Thomson (of The Bathers).
