The £7million regeneration project has transformed the B-listed Bell Street Stables in the Merchant City into 52 new flats for mid-market rent.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, Derek Mackay MSP, visited the site to see how the historic building has been restored to provide quality, affordable housing. Mackay was joined by Spencer, a 12-year-old Clydesdale horse from Pollok Park, who dropped in to mark the transformation of the building that would have been to home to his ancestors.
Designed in the late 19th century, the stable block housed the horses which pulled Glasgow City Cleansing Department's refuse collection carts, as well as the city's police horses.
Mackay said: "A house provides more than just somewhere to live – it offers a sense of pride and belonging and enables independence and confidence. I am delighted to see the difference this high quality, new homes are already making to people and the positive impact this development will have on the wider community, bringing together elements of the old and new to create a vibrant and unique space.
"Everyone deserves a safe, warm, affordable place to live. That is why the Scottish Government is investing a record £3 billion to achieve our ambitious target of 50,000 affordable homes by 2021, of which 35,000 will be for social rent. Successful developments like this keep us on track in achieving that target."
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The one and two-bedroom flats, made possible thanks to a £2million grant from the Scottish Government and support from Glasgow City Council, are being let and managed by Lowther Homes.
The refurbishment of the block has involved restoring the existing façade and repurposing the original stable dividers from the upper floors into cycle-storage areas.
Staircases to the upper floors run alongside the original ramps which were climbed by the horses after a day of work, and many of the original features have been reused including water fountains, horse drinking troughs which have become planters and the cobbles which have been relaid in the courtyard and on the decks. The original entrance gate has been restored by the same company, Sillars Blacksmiths, who made it in 1898.
All of the windows and door sets (close entrance, common, flat entrance and internal) were designed and manufactured using timber by CCG Manufacturing.
Wheatley Regeneration Director David Fletcher said: "This project has brought great quality, much-needed affordable homes to the city centre – while restoring a building in a way that pays tribute to its history."
Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convenor for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm at Glasgow City Council, also said: "This city centre development is a tremendously imaginative transformation of a listed building which is now home to 52 new flats in a fantastic location. We were delighted to support the refurbishment of the former Bell Street Stables, and it is really pleasing to see that this partnership has delivered these new homes to this historic part of the city."
The homes were built in partnership with Collective Architecture, Scott Bennett Associates and Martin Aitken Associates.
CCG Director Calum Murray added: "Bell Street Stables is unique for the city of Glasgow and a truly historic housing development. We are thankful to our Wheatley Group partners for being involved. I am also delighted to state that as a direct result of construction, CCG was able to provide five full-time jobs, three trade apprenticeships and five work placements as well as performing curriculum support for local colleges."
(MH/JG)
