The owners of the property occupied by Wunderbar West are seeking to buy neighbouring council land as part of plans for a new build-to-rent housing development in Glasgow’s West End.
Hegarty Investment Company Limited wants to acquire land at 37–49 Dumbarton Road, next to the popular bar, to assemble a larger development site.
The company had previously been given permission in principle to negotiate an off-market purchase of the council-owned ground for use as a beer garden connected to the pub.
Those plans have now changed, with Glasgow City Council being told that the company instead wants to pursue a residential scheme.
A report going before the council’s Contracts and Property Committee on Thursday states: “In the interim the purchaser has indicated they wish to pursue a build to rent development scheme with the site assembled from their interest and that of Glasgow City Council and no longer intend to use the subject as a beer garden.”
No details have yet been revealed about the design of the proposed development, and any scheme would still have to go through the planning process.
The site sits on the south side of Dumbarton Road close to the University of Glasgow and Kelvinhall, immediately alongside the building occupied by Wunderbar West.
Council papers show the two areas involved extend to around 0.09 hectares – roughly 0.22 acres. The latest council plan identifies a 503 sq m interest at 37–45 Dumbarton Road and a partial council interest covering around 378 sq m at 49 Dumbarton Road.
Wunderbar West opened in 2024 in the former Sanctuary nightclub premises at 59 Dumbarton Road. The venue includes a large outdoor area, with its original refurbishment creating a beer garden with capacity for around 200 people.
The council originally agreed in January 2025 that negotiations could take place with Hegarty Investment Company over an off-market sale.
At that point, the company wanted the additional council land for a beer garden serving the pub. The land had been formally declared surplus by the council in July 2024 and no other expressions of interest were received.
The council retains interests relating to two former third-floor flats at 49 Dumbarton Road and a former shop at 47 Dumbarton Road, properties which no longer exist in their previous form. The company is seeking a “corrective conveyance” which would remove those exceptions from its title and allow the land to be assembled for development.
Councillors are being asked to authorise City Property Glasgow to negotiate the terms and conditions of the sale.
Any deal would have to return to the appropriate council committee for final approval.