Design contest launched to rebuild fire-hit Albert Cross site

Glasgow City Council is seeking architectural proposals to redevelop two former tenement sites at Albert Cross in Pollokshields, which were destroyed by fires in November 2019 and April 2020.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for housing, development, and built heritage, said: "Through this competition, we will transform the sites at Albert Cross on which these distinctive buildings stood before being lost through fire.

"We will be looking for exceptional and exciting designs that will restore vibrancy to a location that has been a centre of Pollokshields’ social and business life for generations."

The B-listed tenement blocks housed both homes and businesses.

Since their demolition, the empty sites have remained undeveloped due to ownership issues and high redevelopment costs.

Kelly said: "Carrying out such a contest will not only restore Albert Cross and the homes and businesses lost but will also potentially provide a template for the redevelopment of gap sites in Glasgow, sites which are often found in areas with heritage buildings immediately adjacent or close by."

The competition will be run in partnership with the Glasgow Institute of Architects.

Shortlisted teams will receive funding to develop their proposals further, and the winning team will be funded to finalise their design.

The council will look to acquire the sites on a voluntary or compulsory purchase basis.

In a first for Glasgow, the council will ask architects to submit high-quality proposals of designs for new buildings on the sites that will complement the town centre at Albert Cross and be sympathetic to the built heritage around it.

It aims to deliver high-quality buildings that respect the surrounding heritage.

The project could also serve as a model for redeveloping other gap sites across the city, particularly in areas with historic buildings.