The former 1930s B-listed Bellgrove Hotel in the Gallowgate is being transformed by Wheatley Group into 14 modern, energy efficient mid-market homes.

The multi-million regeneration project will also include 56 flats being built on adjoining land.

The homes will be for mid-market rent and managed by Lowther, part of Wheatley Group. Mid-market rent homes are for people with a gross annual household income of up to £46,000, such as key workers, who do not have priority for social housing.

The project is part of the ongoing work of Transforming Communities Glasgow (TC:G), a partnership between Wheatley Group, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government.

Important features of the original hotel building have been preserved, including the striking front and east-facing elevations overlooking the Gallowgate and the decorative bands of coloured tiles.

The rear elevation and western wing – which were too narrow to accommodate flats – were demolished over the summer, paving the way for work on the homes to begin this week.

A key part of the development is the use of technology to reduce carbon emissions, which includes the installation of a ground source heat pump. 

The heat pump will result in each home emitting approximately one tonne less carbon per year compared to a new property of similar size and building material heated by a gas boiler (44% less).

Eight of the new homes will also be fully wheelchair-accessible.

Frank McCafferty, Wheatley Group’s director of assets and repairs, said: “We are delighted to start the building work in Gallowgate on this project, which will bring much-needed affordable homes to our communities.

“At Wheatley, we’re committed to creating greener, more sustainable communities by using the latest technologies to reduce carbon emissions and provide environmentally friendly homes with low emissions and efficient heating systems.

“Part of this regeneration is keeping the area’s character, especially the important architectural elements of the 1930s B-listed building, while updating it to meet today’s high building standards and quality. The redevelopment of the Bellgrove Hotel is a key part of the Gallowgate’s regeneration, which will improve residents’ lives and help transform this community.”

Work is due to be completed in spring 2025. 

Neal Whitaker, project architect at Collective Architecture, said: “As we move forward with the Bellgrove project, we are excited to see the communities’ vision for the building begin to materialise. 

“This project represents a unique opportunity to preserve Glasgow’s architectural heritage whilst also contributing to the city’s future. By retaining the significant front portion of the listed Bellgrove Hotel, we are not only conserving a vital piece of the city’s history, but also reducing the environmental impact of the project with a major carbon saving. 

“The new build will complement the original structure, seamlessly merging the old with the new to create a vibrant, contemporary space that honours its past. We look forward to seeing this next chapter unfold.”

Wheatley Group has built more than 200 new homes as part of the regeneration of the Gallowgate. The first two phases – the majority of which were homes for social rent – were completed in 2013 and 2020.