Latest news with #EgyptianHalls
The Herald Scotland
04-08-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
So this is the best place to retire to? Not from where I'm sitting
Milngavie, and to a lesser degree Bearsden, seem to have been the worst affected as follows: • Post Office: Large centrally-located Post Office closed and replaced by two smaller facilities outwith Milngavie village centre – less convenient for most residents. • Royal Mail : Local sorting office closed for many months due to presence of RAAC within the building – longer journeys to uplift parcels at other sorting offices. • Network Rail: £5.7 million spent a few years ago extending station platforms in Milngavie – longer platforms not used to date. • East Dunbartonshire Council 1: Vast expenditure and long delays during construction of "improvements" at Canniesburn Toll – no obvious betterment to road users. • East Dunbartonshire Council 2: On Auchenhowie Road lifting and re-laying a cycle lane over a 1.5-mile stretch, again causing major delays to vehicles during construction, and again at high cost to the public purse – to benefit only a handful of cyclists daily. • East Dunbartonshire Council 3: Counter-productive and increasing charges in council car parks – not cost-effective with three wardens observed collecting revenue from nine parked cars in Mugdock Road car park on July 30. • Scottish Water: Replacement of bridge to obsolete draw-off tower using expensive materials and high-cost construction methods – for a redundant facility. • National Health Service: Non-user-friendly arrangement for requesting appointment with GPs –such phone calls only accepted between 8.30 and 9 am. • Police Scotland: Almost total de-manning of Milngavie Police Station presently, with total closure proposed – resulting in no police offices in either Milngavie or Bearsden. • Scottish Fire and Rescue: Withdrawal of full-time cover from Milngavie Fire Station – reduced part-time cover currently proposed and out for consultation. Retirees in Milngavie, along with other Mid Dunbartonshire towns, could have even better life experiences without these difficulties and encumbrances. Robin M Brown, Milngavie. Read more letters Dilapidated buildings I was delighted to read that celebrated Borders textile designer Bernat Klein's modernist home near Selkirk has been rescued from collapse ("Modernist landmark saved from ruin after being bought at auction", [[The Herald]], July 31). What we weren't told was who owned it and was paid £279,000 by a coalition of organisations including the National Trust for Scotland for a studio that had been on the Buildings at Risk Register for more than 20 years. Why was it ever allowed to get into that state of dilapidation? In Glasgow a legal battle is ongoing over the Category-A listed Egyptian Halls designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson in Union Street. Why has action not been taken over allowing this magnificent building to fall into such disrepair that scaffolding has been in place for more than 15 years to protect the public? It's an eyesore on one of Glasgow's main thoroughfares and the first thing visitors see when they leave Central Station by the side entrance. We cross the River Clyde to Carlton Place, home to some of Glasgow's most prominent legal firms and close to the Sheriff Court. Laurieston House, described as arguably the most ornate Georgian town house in the UK, remains boarded up despite being acquired by Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust. Who owned it before and why did they let it rot? There are other buildings also abandoned on Carlton Place and the former hospice in the street behind was recently ravaged by fire. Next door to my doctors' surgery at Queen's Crescent next to St George's Cross there's a substantial terraced building boarded up and growing trees on its roof. Why aren't property owners or so-called developers held accountable for what effectively are acts of vandalism? Andy Stenton, Glasgow. The Bernat Klein studio near Selkirk (Image: Newsquest) Zero confidence Part of the fallout from Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme debacle was a contentious haulage contract awarded by (now defunct) Circularity Scotland to Biffa. It's never been clarified who authorised this contract award, but the relevant minister at the time insists she had nothing to do with it. Biffa then sued the Scottish Government for £100 million in compensation and (like the initial award arrangements) nobody seems to know much about the outcome. Despite all this Biffa (one of the leading waste operators in the UK) has marched on, recently opening a new "Zero to Landfill" waste facility in Inverness that will eventually handle 150,000 tonnes per annum. It's emerged that Zero Waste Scotland (a charity wholly under the control of the [[Scottish Government]]) made a significant capital contribution to the funding of this new facility. Some commentators are wondering if this is in some way part of a compensation package to prompt Biffa to drop its lawsuit. That coupled with an informal nod that if/when the UK DRS is eventually implemented, the original contract can be resurrected would solve the problem. And as far as Zero to Landfill is concerned, the bulk of the material deposited at Inverness will be trucked to the Central Belt for processing in Biffa's recycling plant at Broxburn and its energy from waste plant in Glasgow. And bear in mind that energy from waste and recycling plants all generate reject material that needs to be landfilled, so claiming that the Inverness facility is "zero to landfill" is a bit of an overstatement John Crawford, Preston. Reality check David Miller (Letters, August 1) rails against the use of jargon. Back in 1970, I was amused by a sentence in the preface to The Social Construction of Reality by Berger and Luckman. The book having been long ago donated to a jumble sale, I quote from memory but I recall it as "Not being convinced, however, that theoretical lucidity is necessarily enhanced by terminological ponderosity, we will attempt, as far as is possible, to avoid the use of jargon for which sociologists and phenomenologists have acquired dubious notoriety". Fifty-five years ago I was convinced that the authors wrote that with their tongues firmly in their respective cheeks. Today I am not so sure. Eric Begbie, Stirling.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council seeks ideas for 'architectural treasure'
Glasgow City Council is seeking development ideas for a crumbling "architectural treasure" in the city centre which has sat vacant for more than 30 years. The category A-listed Egyptian Halls, designed by visionary Scottish architect Alexander "Greek" Thomson 150 years ago, has been on the buildings at risk register since 1990. After a number of planning applications fell through, the council began in February to investigate the possibility of using a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), which would allow it to acquire the property without the owner's consent. The building's upper floors are privately owned by Dundee businessman Derek Soutar through two companies who have appealed against the CPO. The building on the city's Union Street, close to Glasgow Central Station, was listed for sale by agent Ryden. It described it as a "hallmark" of Thomson's style. It was built in 1872 as a commercial premises for an iron manufacturer. However it has long been derelict in the upper floors, with the ground floor partly occupied by storefronts. Scaffolding has been in place for 15 years, which the council previously said "is not being used to facilitate repairs, conversion or maintenance or serving any structural need, and is causing environmental, social and economic blight". In March, Glasgow City Council issued a defective building notice which requires the owner of a building to bring it back into a reasonable state of repair. A CPO would legally allow the council to acquire the property for its own use or to facilitate development by another party. A council committee has approved an investigation period for its use. During this time, interested parties, including the private owners, can put forward proposals for the "repair, repurposing and future active reuse of the property", according to the listing. If a proposal meets the development brief, a successful CPO would transfer ownership. A closing date for proposals has been set for 17 October. The current owners would also have the option to sell until then. Due to the private ownership, viewings of the 51,529 sq ft space are not possible. Mr Soutar - who owns the building through his companies Union Street Properties Ltd and Union Street Investments Ltd - said the CPO would "wipe out 27 years of private sector investment". He added that he seeks to find a "mutually reconcilable position" and is working on a pre-application for development. The council said: "No applications for planning permission for reuse have been submitted by the current owners since 2012, and two recent engineering reports state that the continued decline in the overall building fabric has arisen through a prolonged lack of occupation and ongoing maintenance." Ruairi Kelly, the council's housing and development convenor, described the property as "an architectural treasure of national significance". "In gauging the market interest we'll know what the opportunities for the future of this architectural gem can be," Cllr Kelly said. He added: "Right now, the transformation of our city centre is gathering real pace. "Giving the city's built heritage new purposes and new futures is part of that and I've no doubt the Egyptian Halls can be a centrepiece in the Glasgow of the 21st century." More on this story Council could force sale of historic building Glasgow building among Europe's most at risk
BBC News
29-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Egyptian Halls listed for sale as council seeks development plans
Glasgow City Council is seeking development ideas for a crumbling "architectural treasure" in the city centre which has sat vacant for more than 30 category A-listed Egyptian Halls, designed by visionary Scottish architect Alexander "Greek" Thomson 150 years ago, has been on the buildings at risk register since a number of planning applications fell through, the council began in February to investigate the possibility of using a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), which would allow it to acquire the property without the owner's building's upper floors are privately owned by Dundee businessman Derek Soutar through two companies who have appealed against the CPO. The building on the city's Union Street, close to Glasgow Central Station, was listed for sale by agent described it as a "hallmark" of Thomson's was built in 1872 as a commercial premises for an iron it has long been derelict in the upper floors, with the ground floor partly occupied by has been in place for 15 years, which the council previously said "is not being used to facilitate repairs, conversion or maintenance or serving any structural need, and is causing environmental, social and economic blight". In March, Glasgow City Council issued a defective building notice which requires the owner of a building to bring it back into a reasonable state of repair.A CPO would legally allow the council to acquire the property for its own use or to facilitate development by another party.A council committee has approved an investigation period for its this time, interested parties, including the private owners, can put forward proposals for the "repair, repurposing and future active reuse of the property", according to the a proposal meets the development brief, a successful CPO would transfer ownership. A closing date for proposals has been set for 17 October. The current owners would also have the option to sell until then. Due to the private ownership, viewings of the 51,529 sq ft space are not Soutar - who owns the building through his companies Union Street Properties Ltd and Union Street Investments Ltd - said the CPO would "wipe out 27 years of private sector investment".He added that he seeks to find a "mutually reconcilable position" and is working on a pre-application for council said: "No applications for planning permission for reuse have been submitted by the current owners since 2012, and two recent engineering reports state that the continued decline in the overall building fabric has arisen through a prolonged lack of occupation and ongoing maintenance."Ruairi Kelly, the council's housing and development convenor, described the property as "an architectural treasure of national significance". "In gauging the market interest we'll know what the opportunities for the future of this architectural gem can be," Cllr Kelly added: "Right now, the transformation of our city centre is gathering real pace. "Giving the city's built heritage new purposes and new futures is part of that and I've no doubt the Egyptian Halls can be a centrepiece in the Glasgow of the 21st century."
Glasgow Times
26-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow city centre 'architectural masterpiece' up for sale
The A-listed Egyptian Halls building, designed by renowned architect Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, has been empty and derelict for decades but the council is looking at using a Compulsory Purchase Order to take it over. As part of the process, the council is looking for a developer to come forward with a proposal to bring it back into meaningful use. READ NEXT: Out of school care centre warned it doesn't meet legal standards Applications are invited with a deadline of October 17. The brochure by Ryden, under instruction from the council, describes the six-storey Union Street building as 'a unique architectural and historic asset' with the council prioritising its 'repair, repurposing, and future active reuse'. In February this year, the council agreed to look at CPO powers to take it over after decades of inaction from the current owner. Its intricate and distinctive stonework is currently hidden behind scaffolding. The building was built between 1870 and 1872, a 'hallmark' of Thomson's distinctive Greek Revival style. The brochure states: 'It remains internationally recognised as a masterpiece of Victorian architecture.' Last month, it was decided an incentive of £150,000 will be on offer to the developer chosen to revamp the historic landmark. READ NEXT:Work on West End street to start next month and last two years The building is currently owned by two companies — Union Street Developments and Union Street Properties — both run by Dundee businessman Derek Souter and his partners. They will also be invited to submit proposals to the council and are able to sell the property voluntarily at any point until the CPO is secured. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Built Heritage, Housing and Development at Glasgow City Council, said: 'This is a key milestone in our efforts to return the Egyptian Halls to full life and restore their rightful place as an architectural treasure of national significance. 'Securing a commercial operator to take on the repair and reuse of the Halls is a core part of the CPO process which began earlier this year. In gauging the market interest we'll know what the opportunities for the future of this architectural gem can be. 'Right now, the transformation of our city centre is gathering real pace. Giving the city's built heritage new purposes and new futures is part of that and I've no doubt the Egyptian Halls can be a centrepiece in the Glasgow of the 21st century.'
The Herald Scotland
26-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
'Key milestone' in efforts to return Egyptian Halls to full life
Considered a masterpiece by renowned architect Alexander "Greek" Thomson, the Egyptian Halls was constructed between 1870 and 1872 as a commercial premises for an iron manufacturer. As one of Thomson's earliest commercial commissions, the building is a hallmark of his distinctive Greek Revival style. Thomson is widely regarded as one of the most influential architects of his era, with his legacy visible throughout Glasgow and across the UK. READ MORE: Council approves potential forced sale of Glasgow's Egyptian Halls Sale of Glasgow Egyptian Halls could be forced by council Could Glasgow's Egyptian Halls be heading for a new dawn? The building spans approximately 51,500 sq ft over six floors and features a striking blonde sandstone façade in the classical Greek style. The property has been vacant and derelict at the upper floors - only the ground floor is partly occupied - for over 30 years and been on the national Buildings at Risk Register since 1990. Scaffolding has been in place for 15 years but is not being used to facilitate repairs, conversion or maintenance or serving any structural need. The prolonged inactivity has led to a significant deterioration in its condition. As a result, Glasgow City Council issued a Defective Building Notice in March 2025. Current owner Derek Souter and his business partners - Union Street Properties and Union Street Investments - acquired the building in the 1990s following a council CPO. In February this year, a Glasgow City Council committee gave approval to the investigation of the use of CPO powers to acquire the building after a bid by a consortium led by publisher The List was rejected. The building has been on the national buildings at risk register since 1990 (Image: NQ) Before it can promote a CPO, the council must determine if there are other interested parties as well as considering any proposals which the owners might bring forward at this stage. The building is located in a prominent site and the council says it has engaged in discussions surrounding the condition in recent years but to no avail. The current owners of the building have submitted no planning permission applications since 2012 and recent engineering reports have shown a continued decline in the building. Now commercial property agent Ryden is advertising the building as a potential development opportunity on the instructions of the council. The council is inviting proposals from interested parties for the repair, repurposing and active reuse of the building. Proposals must include a development appraisal and business plan/case. A closing date for offers has been set for Friday, October 17. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Built Heritage, Housing and Development at [[Glasgow City Council]], said: 'This is a key milestone in our efforts to return the Egyptian Halls to full life and restore their rightful place as an architectural treasure of national significance. 'Securing a commercial operator to take on the repair and reuse of the Halls is a core part of the CPO process which began earlier this year. In gauging the market interest we'll know what the opportunities for the future of this architectural gem can be. 'Right now, the transformation of our city centre is gathering real pace. Giving the city's built heritage new purposes and new futures is part of that and I've no doubt the Egyptian Halls can be a centrepiece in the Glasgow of the 21st century.'
