An award-winning firm has plenty of experience in the field, restoring and working on countless historical sites across the UK – including the fire-ravaged Cameron House Hotel and Glasgow School of Art.
All that remains of the once grand building(Image: Network Rail)
A leading Scottish architectural firm has said it would be possible to restore the historic building in Glasgow city centre devastated by a blaze over the weekend.
Ewan Lawson, a partner at the Edinburgh-based Simpson & Brown, said that it would be possible to reinstate Union Corner, but warned that it could be months or years before work could begin. The award-winning firm has plenty of experience in the field, restoring and working on countless historical sites across the UK – including the fire-ravaged Cameron House Hotel and Glasgow School of Art.
Ewan told Glasgow Live: “It is recoverable and rebuildable. But there are lots of challenges.
“I’m not fully informed on everything, but it does look bad. The first thing that it going to need to be done is seeing what can be retained.
“After that it’s going through records and seeing what kind of information is available. There is a reasonable amount on this building that will give you clues about how it goes back together.
“Part of the work is just going to the site and picking through the stones and figuring out what is salvageable. It’s not going to be straightforward.”
While Ewan says that some modern planning requirements can be relaxed if some of the existing structure remains, he adds that a complete rebuild would need to comply. He says that would mean figuring out how to restore areas like dome on the roof while meeting those expectations.
He continued: “It’s not going to be a quick process. It’s going to be months before the planning stage is done.”
Ewan says that the proximity to the station, the busy location and construction methods will all pose challenges. However, he says: “It’s always possible to rebuild with a similar style and appearance into a new building.
“The building is very significant, so there is merit in it. There are definitely ways that it can be achieved.”
Glasgow City Council took control of the site yesterday (March 12) from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, although firefighters are continuing to take care of some hot spots.
The council’s building standards team has completed a full assessment of the remaining structure and has decided demolition must happen “in the interests of public safety”. Fencing is being erected around the site.
The council said the structure was in “poor condition” and “parts of the remaining structure have continued to collapse, including parts of the southern gable”.
A spokesperson added: “We are now in control of the Union Street site, and after a full and final assessment of the remaining structure, our building standards team have decided that demolition must happen in the interests of public safety.”
A petition has since been launched calling for more to be done to protect Glasgow’s built history. It reads: “Glasgow’s rich architectural heritage is a testament to its vibrant history and culture, featuring iconic buildings and structures that have stood the test of time. However, these invaluable assets are at risk of damage and neglect due to inadequate protections and lack of maintenance oversight. We must act now to ensure that these historical landmarks are preserved for future generations.
“To protect and preserve Glasgow’s architectural treasures, we propose the establishment of a new listing bracket specifically designed to protect historical buildings and structures. This initiative will include clear and strict regulations on maintenance and monitoring to prevent damage and reduce the risk of accidents, such as fire hazards and flooding.”Currently, many historical buildings are vulnerable to deterioration because existing rules do not adequately address the specific needs of heritage structures. By creating a new framework with stringent rules and consistent monitoring, we can safeguard these critical cultural assets. Moreover, we recommend implementing special permits and assessments for both private and commercial properties that are adjacent to or nearby these historic sites. This will ensure that any development or renovation work does not inadvertently harm our precious heritage.”Join us in urging the local government and heritage bodies to take immediate action. Let’s work together to preserve Glasgow’s historical gems by signing this petition. Your support can help drive meaningful change and ensure that Glasgow’s storied past continues to be celebrated and admired by residents and visitors alike. Sign this petition to make a difference!”