St Enoch Square

Occupying the upper floors of two interconnected buildings on St Enoch Square, this project converts long-vacant commercial space into 28 new mid-market rent homes. At its centre is the Category B Listed former Commercial Bank building at 34-36 St Enoch Square, whose repair and adaptation is combined with the adjoining property to create a new residential use within one of Glasgow city centre’s most prominent historic settings.

The existing floorplates had previously been combined for commercial use and were later stripped back to their structural shell. The new layout works with the established building fabric, arranging flats around existing window openings and circulation routes. Living spaces are positioned on the principal elevations, while secondary and service spaces make use of internal lightwells.

The project also improves accessibility and day-to-day functionality. The existing stair and lift infrastructure is retained, while the ground-floor entrance is reconfigured to provide a more accessible and secure arrival. Cycle storage, plant and refuse facilities are incorporated within the existing building envelope to support contemporary city-centre living.

A conservation-led retrofit approach underpins the work. Historic masonry is repaired using appropriate lime-based materials, while roof coverings and rainwater goods are repaired or renewed in suitable heritage finishes. Replacement windows retain the proportions of the existing openings while improving thermal and acoustic performance, and internal insulation upgrades the envelope without compromising the character of the principal façades.

The scheme supports Glasgow’s wider ambition to increase the residential population of the city centre, demonstrating how underused commercial buildings can be adapted to provide new affordable homes while extending the life of existing historic fabric.