Led by Southside Housing Association, the major restoration project will see the former British Linen Bank brought back to life as six 2 bedroom flats for mid market rent on the upper levels.

The ground floor is envisaged to become a cafe/ restaurant which will provide an important social hub to the newly developed Laurieston residential area.

Under plans designed by Page\Park Architects, ironmongery and other period features will be restored where possible.

The landmark is one of a handful of listed buildings to survive in the area, making it a priority for refurbishment to arrest further deterioration of the structure.

The property at 162-168 Gorbals Street was built around 1900 for the British Linen Bank which ceased trading as a public bank around 1969 but still existed as a private commercial bank till 2000.

The building has been in the possession of Southside Housing Association for over 20 years. A renovation scheme in 1996 was refused funding and the building has lain derelict since then.

Southside Housing Association in partnership with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust has been successful in attracting funding from Glasgow City Council and last year was awarded £345,000 from Historic Environment Scotland’s Building Repair Grants Scheme to carry out essential repair work.