A development company has announced plans to preserve the historic facade of an interwar-era bakery building in Glasgow while constructing new student housing on the site. The project represents a compromise between urban development needs and architectural preservation efforts in the Scottish city.

The building in question, known as St George's Studios, is located alongside neighboring properties at 93-113 St George's Road. Originally constructed as a bakery during the interwar period, the structure is not officially listed as a protected historic building. Despite its unlisted status, the developer has committed to maintaining the building's distinctive brick facade as part of the new development.

Initial discussions about the project had included proposals for complete demolition of the existing structures. However, the development team has since modified their approach to incorporate facade retention as a key design element. The preserved brick facade will be integrated into an expanded structure that will house student accommodation.

The existing building has been repurposed as office space in recent years, but has experienced significant vacancy issues following the COVID-19 pandemic. The developer explained that they considered renovating the existing structure but ultimately rejected this approach due to multiple structural and safety concerns.

According to the development team, a retrofit-first approach was deemed unfeasible for several technical reasons. Fire safety regulations presented significant challenges for the existing building layout. Energy performance standards required for modern housing could not be met without extensive modifications. The current interior layout created constraints that would limit the effective use of space for student housing. Natural daylight access was insufficient throughout much of the building. Additionally, accessibility requirements for modern housing could not be adequately addressed within the existing structure.

The new development will feature enhanced access through a redesigned side lane that will provide entry into the interior courtyard area of the city block. This routing system is designed to improve pedestrian flow and create better connectivity within the urban environment.

Beyond student housing, the project includes plans for diverse commercial spaces on the ground floor. These will include a snooker hall, grocery store, fitness center, and cafe. This mixed-use approach is intended to create a vibrant community hub that serves both residents and the broader neighborhood.

Albert Investments is serving as the lead developer for the project and has assembled a comprehensive design team to handle various aspects of the development. ThreeSixty Architecture is providing architectural design services, while Woolgar Hunter is contributing specialized expertise. Atelier Ten has been brought on board to handle additional technical aspects of the project.

Community engagement remains an important component of the development process. A final public consultation session has been scheduled for August 7th at Woodside Library. The session will run from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, providing local residents and stakeholders with an opportunity to review the finalized plans and provide feedback.

The facade retention approach represents a growing trend in urban development where historic architectural elements are preserved while allowing for modern construction. This method allows developers to maintain the character and visual continuity of historic streetscapes while meeting contemporary housing needs.

The project is currently in the final stages of community consultation, with formal planning applications expected to follow. The preservation of the interwar bakery facade demonstrates how modern development can accommodate both growth and heritage preservation in urban environments.