Glasgow-based hospitality and leisure operator The Scotsman Group is applying for permission to turn the rundown historic campus into a 142-room hotel with 21 serviced apartments and function rooms, a bar in one of the gatehouses, plus a pool, spa and gym facility in a new building.

The plans also include the introduction of glazed links between key buildings on the site, which at present comprises seven existing buildings.

The Elmbank Street site is considered one of the last remaining undeveloped Grade A-Listed buildings of its scale within Glasgow city centre.

Built in 1846, the buildings were renovated into offices for use by Strathclyde Regional Council in 1976 before being returned to Glasgow City Council some two decades later. The buildings were then in use by the council and Strathclyde Police as office space until 2013.

The complex is formed around a large central courtyard and surrounded by a mixture of traditional stone walls and ornate metal gates and railings. Vehicular access is via Holland Street and pedestrian access is available from both Elmbank Street and Holland Street.

The site was put on the market as a development opportunity known as “The Old High School Complex” in 2019, with The Scotsman Group then entering into an agreement with City Property (Glasgow) Investment LLP to develop the site after submitting the winning bid.

The Scotsman Group said it “seeks to create a luxury city centre destination in the form of a 5-star hotel facility and associated uses on the site”.

A document submitted to city planners stated: “Scotsman Group is excited by the potential to create a stunning destination which complements their wider portfolio and experience with bespoke listed buildings

“The proposals have been developed with a view to reinvigorating existing building stock and reimagining the building use and overall development to ensure a sustainable a flexible future for decades to come.

“After nine years remaining derelict and deteriorating rapidly, this development requires significant investment to ensure the longevity of the building stock and the celebration of this piece of architectural history nestled within the city centre.”

The proposed hotel would also create a total of 176 permanent jobs/ employment opportunities.

It added: “The future vision for this area intends to build on the approved developments in the vicinity and redevelop a once-cherished architectural gem to create a high-end public facility befitting the prominent historical mark the building complex has made in the city.”

“The proposals aim to retain the key features, volumes, proportions and detailing of the existing external fabric and upgrade where necessary to reflect the level of building deterioration evident on site.”

The statement concluded: “We are confident that the submitted development proposals respond sensitively to the existing context whilst providing flexibility and accessibility of building use to reflect user requirements.

“Careful consideration has taken place to ensure the buildings are utilized to their full potential, while protecting the key features and historical importance of the site.”

The design team includes:

• Architect: Convery Prenty Shields Architects
• Planning & Heritage Consultant: Sir Frank Mears Associates
• Cost Consultant: Nascent Construction Consulting
• Structural / Civil Engineer: Grossart Associates
• Services Engineer: CCDP Chartered Building Service Engineers
• Interior Designer: Jim Hamilton Design
• Visualisations: Convery Prenty Shields Architects