A historic site in the Laurieston area of Glasgow is to play a key role in the next phase of an award-winning regeneration project after being acquired by New Gorbals Housing Association (NGHA) in partnership with Urban Union.

The land, which was once home to the Coliseum Theatre, will see the future development of dozens of high quality homes, providing a mix of socially rented and private housing.

The Coliseum Theatre was built in the early 1900s as a music hall and spent most of the century as a cinema. In its latter days, it operated as a bingo hall. The building eventually closed in 2003 and was burnt down in a fire more than a decade ago.

The development of the site is a key component of the transformation of Laurieston, helping to connect the redevelopment to Eglinton Street and creating a “face” onto this important thoroughfare.

Linda Malone, chair of New Gorbals Housing Association, said: “Providing new affordable rented housing is our top priority. We are delighted to be developing new homes and making another major contribution to the regeneration of Laurieston and the Gorbals.”

Neil McKay, managing director, Urban Union, said: “For people in Glasgow, the Coliseum remains an important part of the city’s heritage. The land has been derelict for so long and we are pleased that it will now become a place people are proud to call home – a fitting second act for a historic site.

“While our collaboration with NGHA is in the very early stages, we will be submitting a planning application for the development as soon as we can.”

The redevelopment of the Coliseum site will supplement other regeneration activity in the vicinity. Earlier this year, Urban Union submitted a planning application to Glasgow City Council which outlined plans for 28 new units in the adjacent area of Bedford Street.

Laurieston Living is a £100 million revitalisation of the area which aims to deliver a world class city quarter in four phases over a nine-year period.

Phase 1A saw 201 homes constructed for social rent for New Gorbals Housing Association. Phase 1B involved the creation of 108 homes - 39 for Mid Market Rent for New Gorbals Housing Association and 69 for private sale for Urban Union. Phase 1C and Phase 2, currently under construction, will deliver 46 new socially rented apartments for NGHA and 173 private homes for sale.

Urban Union – a partnership between Robertson Group and McTaggart Construction – is focused on delivering for the local community and has established a community benefits programme in addition to an award-winning arts and living strategy.

As one of Glasgow’s eight Transformation Regeneration Areas (TRAs), great importance is placed on embedding new homes in Laurieston into the overall community, linking with existing local housing, other Gorbals neighbourhoods like Hutchesontown and local assets such as the Citizen’s Theatre. Connecting Laurieston to other parts of the city, particularly the centre, is a key ambition.

Councillor Kenny McLean, chair of Transforming Communities: Glasgow and city convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, said: “I am excited by the proposals for the development of the Coliseum site. These new homes will continue the remarkable transformation of Laurieston – a community very close to the city centre – and I am delighted to say that Glasgow City Council is helping to fund this project.”