Plans unveiled to demolish fire-hit O2 ABC to build 'vibrant' food hall and 370-bed student accommodation

Further plans have been published for the redevelopment of the historic O2 ABC site in Glasgow.

A public consultation on the proposals by Vita Group opened on Tuesday with details on a possible “first in Scotland” food hall and public courtyard unveiled.

The former site of the ABC and Jumpin Jaks on Sauchiehall Street dates back to 1882 having been used as The Panorama, Hengler’s Circus, Palais de Danse and the Regal Cinema in the years since.

The building is set to be demolished after being extensively damaged in a fire at the Glasgow School of Art in 2018 which destroyed the roof and majority of the interiors.

Vita Group are proposing to introduce their ‘House of Social’ brand to the city in its place which they say will bring investment, footfall and animation to both Sauchiehall Street and Glasgow.

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.

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”.

Student accommodation, also proposed for the site, will be designed for second and third year students “who have established friendship groups”.

Each “house” will be centered around an open plan kitchen and lounge space, designed to bring housemates together. A total of 371 student beds have been proposed.

Planning documents outline: “A key element of the proposal is a ground floor food hall. Open to the
public, this vibrant space combines great Glasgow food, drinks and music.

“A range of stands will bring favourite and new food and drink offers, alongside performance space for Glasgow’s music scene, working with local and upcoming Glaswegian musicians to give them a platform to perform.

“The physical built heritage value of the building may have been lost, but its cultural significance can be reimagined through the regeneration of the subject site, its strong public focus, activated street frontages
and accessible public courtyard presenting unique viewing of the Glasgow School of Art.”