Plans to bring Glasgow’s Union Street fire site back to life are nearing completion, with temporary shops, cultural uses, public art and lighting among the ideas considered for one of the city centre’s most prominent gap sites.
The site at the corner of Union Street and Gordon Street has been empty since the fire destroyed the historic Union Corner building in March.
Glasgow City Council has confirmed that concept designs for what it calls a “meanwhile use” are now close to completion, with details expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The temporary scheme is intended to bring activity back to the site while agreement is reached over its permanent redevelopment – a process which could take several years because the land is in multiple ownership.
Architects O’DonnellBrown were appointed by the council in July to develop the concept, working with the owners and other partners.
The brief is to create a flexible scheme which can evolve during the period before permanent redevelopment takes place.
Council documents say commercial and cultural uses could form part of the plans, alongside temporary structures and installations.
The design is also expected to take account of the substantial number of pedestrians passing the site beside Glasgow Central Station.
Initial work was intended to begin this year and could be introduced in phases.
More recent discussions have also included public art and lighting designed to bring what officials have described as “light and life” back to the corner.
Other possibilities previously discussed include providing space for businesses displaced by the fire and temporary commercial or leisure uses.
The final concept has yet to be revealed.
The council has said the interim scheme could operate for around four years while longer-term plans for the site are developed.
The Union Corner building dated from 1851 and was designed by architect James Brown. The Category B-listed five-storey building contained a number of businesses before fire swept through the block on 8 March.
It caused disruption around Central Station and left the building so badly damaged that the remaining structure was eventually demolished on safety grounds.
Businesses previously based in the block included Sexy Coffee, Blue Lagoon and Shelter Scotland, alongside tattoo, beauty and hair businesses. Some firms affected by the fire have expressed an interest in being involved in the temporary use of the site.
Union Street and the Gordon Street entrance to Central Station fully reopened in July after months of demolition and stabilisation work.
The wider future of the area is also under consideration.
Glasgow City Council has previously backed work towards a broader masterplan for Union Street and the streets surrounding Central Station, including possible public realm improvements and changes to nearby streets.
The long-term future of the fire site itself remains unresolved.
The affected properties have five separate owners, with insurance and ownership issues adding to the complexity of agreeing what should eventually replace the demolished buildings.
Options range from rebuilding on the site to a completely new development or public space.
Council leader Susan Aitken said earlier this year that neither the council nor the owners wanted such an important city centre site to remain empty while permanent plans were developed.
She said finding a temporary use which attracts people back to the area around Central Station would be important to its recovery.
The council says the latest concept designs are now close to completion, with the first detailed look at what could occupy the Union Street corner expected within weeks.