Plans for a new boutique hotel in historic Glasgow building have been approved.
The 14-bedroom development at 53 Virginia Street, commonly known as The Jacobean Building, has been given the go-ahead.
Documents submitted to Glasgow City Council revealed that the owner has been unable to rent out the Merchant City property for commercial office use.
Issues are believed to stem from issues with accessibility and competition.
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Bar, restaurant and kitchen facilities have already been developed at ground floor and basement levels.
The statement detailed: “Acknowledging the significant and unique history of this building and the surrounding streets in this area of Glasgow, our client wishes to revitalise the building function and create a renewed interest in Virginia Street through development of a new destination here.
“Ongoing attempts to market the property following the approval of the bar/ restaurant facility have indicated potential for the upper floors to be redeveloped into a ‘boutique’ hotel with a range of interestingly-featured en-suite bedrooms.
“Unique period features, enhanced imaginatively, could provide exciting facilities for a range of tourists to the city and contribute to a successful hotel business. This could be managed in partnership with the bar/restaurant or independently.
“The hotel use in this location will add to the variety of available accommodation in this part of the city and enhance the use and accessibility of a Category A-listed building that is important to the history of Glasgow.
“Access via the pend from Virginia Street into the rear courtyard provides an opportunity to create something akin to the quality and character of the adjacent Virginia Court development in this space.”
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The Jacobean Building was built more than two centuries ago in 1817.
It was constructed alongside the Virginia Buildings next door.
Glasgow Heritage describes the buildings as “important surviving examples of commercial street architecture”.
The building was originally sugar merchants exchange and then a girls’ school
The golden sign Jacobean Corsetry is also iconic, having been erected by the businesses founded in 1946.
They shipped more than 30,000 corsets a year to 500 shops nationwide.
In 1980s, business declined, and it shut down, but the building was then renamed the Jacobean Building in its honour.
The area itself is filled with historic buildings but restricted vehicle access has caused businesses to use it as refuge storage, developers contend.
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