Glasgow's iconic O2 ABC building to be completely demolished

An iconic Scottish music venue will be demolished after councillors approved plans to tear the building down.

Glasgow’s O2 ABC, which dates back to 1875, had already been served a demolition notice over fears it posed a threat to public safety.

It has lain derelict on Sauchiehall Street in the city centre since it was severely damaged by a fire at the Glasgow School of Art in 2018.

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

Work had been instructed to begin by September and was to be completed within three months.

It comes just a few months after urban regeneration company Vita Group revealed plans to demolish the building to make way for a food hall and student accommodation.

There are no plans to retain any aspect of the historic former cinema, including its famous facade.

The School of Art and O2 ABC buildings were gutted by flames in June 2018. SFRS

The council installed temporary restraints to reduce the danger to the public and allow for Sauchiehall Street to reopen following the fire, while responsibility for maintaining the building remained with the owners.

A recent inspection found that no work had been undertaken on the building leading to its significant deterioration and the need for a safety exclusion to the reintroduced.

A spokesperson for the council previously said: “As the building was continuing to deteriorate having been open to the elements for so long, the owners were informed that a dangerous building notice would be served to address the ongoing concerns.

“The areas of most immediate public safety concern are the façade and the supporting timber floor structure directly behind and the notice is therefore stipulating the need for these to be removed.

“After speaking with the building owners and their representatives, the dates within the notice are considered a reasonable time for the operations specified and aiming to complete at an appropriate point prior to the festive break.

“The dates can be varied should the necessity later arise.”

Vita Group revealed their intentions for the site earlier this year with their aim to “regenerate” the once-popular destination.

Their design statement outlined plans for a “vibrant food destination on the ground floor which celebrates community, creates a building which interjects with the adjacent buildings and importantly complements the framework set out for the Golden Z.”

Student accommodation will also be included in the development specifically aimed at second and third year students.