Design contest to envisage 'positive future' for fire-hit Albert Cross in Glasgow

A Pollokshields councillor believes a design competition will provide an opportunity to envisage a “positive future” for the fire-hit Albert Cross.

Glasgow councillors approved a plan which will see architects invited to submit “innovative and exciting” proposals to revamp the area, after it was gutted by two major fires.

The contest, instigated by Cllr Ruairi Kelly, SNP, is expected to be administered by a partner organisation, such as Glasgow Institute for Architects. Entrants will be informed by a brief developed by council planners.

Speaking at Thursday’s city administration committee meeting, Cllr Jon Molyneux, who represents Pollokshields, welcomed the idea.

“It’s taken quite a long time to get to this point but this is an opportunity to start envisaging a positive future for these sites,” the Green councillor said.

“I do think ultimately we are right, the council has to take a lead in situations like this. There are good examples of tenement infill already out there that we can learn from, but I think this is a good opportunity to look afresh at things that are replicable across the city.”

Both B-listed tenement blocks, which each housed flats and businesses, were destroyed in separate fires, with the first in November 2019 and the second in April 2020.

The blocks were later demolished and both sites at Albert Cross have lain derelict, with long-standing issues around complexities of ownership and the high costs of redevelopment meaning it is unlikely either site will move forward without intervention by the council.

The council intends to acquire the two sites either voluntarily or through a compulsory purchase.

Cllr Kelly said: “My intention is that the design and architectural excellence we have in Glasgow, and the prominence of the location, will mean we get some really innovative and exciting proposals.

“Albert Drive has been at the heart of the commercial and residential life of Pollokshields for over a century and these fires have been a tragedy for the area. So this is about restoring and enhancing the vibrancy and quality of this part of Pollokshields.”

Designs will be shortlisted before three teams could be awarded up to £10,000 to develop and submit realisable and costed proposals. The winning architects will be funded to fully work up their design.

A panel of design and heritage experts as well as planning officials, councillors and community representatives would contribute to the selection of the winning designs.