5 empty Glasgow buildings with big plans for the future
Prominent Glasgow buildings that are currently empty that have exciting future plans
Glasgow is home to some of Scotland’s finest architecture, but sadly, not all of its historic buildings have received the care and attention they deserve over the years.
A walk through the city centre reveals several prominent buildings that have fallen into decline and now sit vacant. However, there is hope for some of these neglected landmarks, with plans underway to restore, repurpose and breathe new life into them.
Here are 5 empty Glasgow buildings with big plans for the future.
Langside Halls
Glasgow’s A-listed Langside Halls in the Southside, which has been shut for eight years, is moving closer to reopening.
Glasgw LifeEgyptian Halls
Scottish based property specialists, Ediston, has unveiled proposals for the redevelopment of Egyptian Halls on Union Street, following Glasgow City Council’s decision to appoint the company as the preferred bidder. Built in 1872, the Grade A listed building is considered the city’s finest example of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson architecture. The upper floors have been unoccupied for more than 30 years and scaffolding has been in place for 15 years. Ediston propose transforming the building into a mixed-use development featuring a Scottish food market and a 70-bedroom apartment hotel and has secured two anchor tenants.
Glasgow City CouncilMet Tower
Vita Group acquired the Met Tower, one of Glasgow’s most recognisable landmarks in August 2025. It plans to introduce its award-winning Union co-living concept to Scotland for the first time. The redevelopment aims to breathe new life into the former college building, which has stood vacant for over a decade. The Met Tower scheme would support a thriving new community of City Centre professionals, directly helping to attract and retain Glasgow’s growing population and generate new economic activity. Vita’s ambitions align with Glasgow City Council’s City Centre Strategy 2024–30, which aims to double the city centre residential population by 2035, repurpose underused buildings, and develop vibrant mixed-use neighbourhoods.
Vita GroupFormer Pizza Hut on Argyle Street
CDLH Leisure Hospitality & Healthcare Surveyors have marketed plans for the building that once contained the Pizza Hut unit on four corners at Argyle Street and Jamaica Street. The proposals would see 170 bedrooms, with existing development proposals including designs for a 139‑room (537‑bed) hostel.
Google MapsThe Mercat Building
The Mercat Building in Glasgow was designed by architect Andrew Graham Henderson as part of a wider redevelopment of Glasgow Cross. Constructed between 1928 and 1933, it features a steel frame, polished stone exterior and distinctive classical detailing. The building originally provided commercial space and has since been used for offices and studios. In 2025, it was sold to a developer with plans to convert it into residential flats while preserving its historic character.
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