Two B-listed tenement buildings at the heart of Albert Drive Town Centre were destroyed by separate fires in November 2019 and April 2020, leaving behind vacant gap sites that have blighted the East Pollokshields Conservation Area.

Each building had housed several businesses and flats, with their loss representing not only a blow to local commerce and housing but also to Glasgow’s architectural heritage.

One of the damaged structures collapsed earlier this year, forcing nearby residents to evacuate, underlining the urgent need for intervention. Ownership complexities and high redevelopment costs have prevented private action, prompting the council to step in.

According to the City Administration Committee report to be presented by Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for Housing, Development and Built Heritage, the council intends to acquire the sites (voluntarily or via compulsory purchase) and run a multi-stage design contest.

Stage 1: Expression of interest from architectural teams.

Stage 2: Shortlisting, with up to £10,000 honorariums for three teams to develop proposals.

Stage 3: Developer engagement to assess deliverability.

Stage 4: Detailed design development, with fees up to £65,600 supported by the council.

A judging panel of design and heritage experts, planning officers, councillors, and community representatives will select the winning scheme. The contest will be administered by a partner organisation, potentially the Glasgow Institute of Architects, and guided by a planning brief to ensure designs are sympathetic to the conservation area.

Councillor Kelly emphasised that the initiative seeks “innovative and exciting proposals” that respect the area’s heritage while restoring vibrancy to Albert Drive. He noted that success here could provide a blueprint for other gap sites across Glasgow.

Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, described the project as an opportunity for “thoughtful place-mending” that celebrates Pollokshields’ Victorian architecture and reinstates Albert Cross as a community hub. David Cook of the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust added that redevelopment could also deliver much-needed housing.

The initiative aligns with the South Central Local Development Framework (2023), which prioritises investment in town centres and supports the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods. It also contributes to Glasgow’s net zero carbon target by 2030, by promoting brownfield redevelopment and reducing reliance on car travel.

Glasgow City Council’s City Administration Committee meets on November 20.