Demolition teams move in to bulldoze historic O2 ABC building in Glasgow

Work to demolish Glasgow’s historic O2 ABC building has started.

The former nightclub and concert venue, which dates back to 1875, was served a demolition notice over fears it posed a threat to public safety.

It has lain derelict in Glasgow City Centre since it was severely damaged by a fire that started at the Glasgow School of Art in 2018.

During the ABC’s history it has been a diorama theatre, a circus, a dancehall and a cinema.

Footage of the site from Saturday shows workers beginning the process of tearing down the Sauchiehall Street building.

The building has lain derelict in Glasgow City Centre since 2018. STV News

It comes after Glasgow City Council had issued the owners with a dangerous building notice that required them to demolish the venue this month.

Timings on the dangerous buildings notice meant that work had been instructed to begin by September and needs to be completed by December 9.

A spokesperson for the council said the areas of most immediate public safety concern were the façade and the supporting timber floor structure directly behind it.

Construction teams said they will work together to salvage elements of the building’s history, such as the cast iron window frames.

These will then be stored safely so they can be used again.

The construction work needs to be completed by December 9. STV News

In January, it was revealed the venue will be replaced by a destination food hall named House of Social, which developer Vita Group says will bring investment, footfall and animation to both Sauchiehall Street and Glasgow.

A new external courtyard will be created for students and the wider community – located to the rear of the block and providing “new vantage points to the rear of the Glasgow School of Art as never seen before”.

The key element of the development will be a ground-floor food hall which will be open to the public, offering food, drinks, and live music.