UK: Contractor ISG has won a £5.5 million contract to convert the iconic Anchor Line building on St Vincent Place in Glasgow.
The building will become a contemporary 64-unit aparthotel, in a project by The White Building Development Company Limited.
Originally designed 110 years ago by Scottish architect James Miller for the eponymous shipping company, the building’s ground and basement floors are currently home to the award-winning Anchor Line restaurant and Atlantic Restaurant, operated by the Di Maggio Group, which will also operate the aparthotel.
Whilst several original features, including glazed tiles, terrazzo flooring, timber wall panelling, safes and fireplaces will remain, ISG will comprehensively refurbish the existing six floors, stripping out fixtures and fittings within the building to make way for the installation of both new mechanical and electrical services and a passenger lift. The contractor will then create 64 studio- and one-bed-apartments, “delivered to a high-specification with luxury fittings and materials used throughout the historic building”.
Externally, as well as replacing the building’s windows with high-performance timber and metal units, ISG will add a single-storey recessed rooftop extension. Designed to remain in keeping with the A-listed building, the new steel and glass structure will give guests breath-taking views over the city.
Andy McLinden, managing director of ISG’s UK Construction North and Scotland business, said: “There is a renaissance in the Scottish luxury hospitality sector, especially in key locations in our urban centres. With limited scope for new build developments, this has resulted in growing demand to adapt and transform existing property assets into high-end hotels. These often-complex conversion projects present significant construction and logistical challenges and this is why an increasing number of clients are entrusting their schemes with ISG.”</p
