Glasgow council awards £600,000 to save derelict Egyptian Halls

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 14:24 · Archive

Glasgow City Council is providing up to £600,000 to help restore the A-listed Egyptian Halls, a 19th-century building designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson.

Glasgow City Council is providing up to £600,000 to support the redevelopment of the Egyptian Halls on Union Street, an A-listed building designed by architect Alexander 'Greek' Thomson. The upper floors have been derelict for more than 30 years, with the building placed on the national Buildings at Risk Register since 1990.

Ediston was selected as the preferred developer following an open call issued in August 2025, emerging as the highest-scoring option from three submissions. The developer has proposed converting the upper floors into a hotel with leisure uses on the first and second ground floors. Ediston will use the council funding to undertake technical and professional work, including property and engineering surveys, to progress negotiations for a potential Compulsory Purchase Order agreement and develop the proposal further.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, depute leader and convener for housing, development and built heritage, said the award represented 'another key stage' in bringing back the building to life and that the redevelopment was part of the council's strategy to create more attractive places in the city centre. The developer has argued that a combination of public and private sector support is required to unlock the site's redevelopment potential.

How it is being reported

• Egyptian Halls owner questions Glasgow council’s £600,000 grant to rival developerThe current owner of the Egyptian Halls has questioned the grant on more than half a million pounds to another developer to progress plans for the historic site.Glasgow Times · 5 Nov, 15:12
• Up to £600,000 funding approved to save iconic Glasgow buildingGlasgow City Council awards up to £600,000 to help restore the derelict A-listed Egyptian Halls on Union Street, a landmark by Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson.Glasgow Times · 5 Nov, 13:48
• Glasgow council awards £600,000 to help save derelict Egyptian HallsA long-awaited lifeline for one of Glasgow’s finest buildingsThe Herald · 5 Nov, 12:26

In this story: Glasgow City Council · Egyptian Halls · Alexander 'Greek' Thomson · Ediston · Union Street · Ruairi Kelly

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