New lease of life for historic Glasgow building in £9.3 million housing boost

An iconic Glasgow building is to be transformed into new homes for rent in a £9.3 million housing boost for the east end.

Thenue Housing are set to build 49 new flats in London Road and Monteith Row which are due for completion in 2019.

Monteith Row overlooking Glasgow Green was once home to well-heeled Glaswegians in the 19th century.

Now one of its remaining buildings – the former Monteith Hotel which dates from 1891 and is named after a former Lord Provost – will form the centrepiece of the exciting new development.

Its new lease of life and a neighbouring new building is the latest development from Thenue, and is the third development of new homes the housing association has announced in the last six months.

It brings to £23.6 million the amount of money Thenue is spending on giving people new homes in this location, in Bridgeton and in Castlemilk. The total number of homes being built is around 120.

Revealing the development, Chief Executive Charles Turner said: “We are very pleased that something which has been in the pipeline for some time will soon be a reality.

“It shows that Thenue is committed to building new homes in our communities and is delivering on our promise to the people we serve to provide homes across the city. They are much needed and will be greatly welcomed.”

The Monteith Hotel is currently boarded up and latterly was used as a place to stay for homeless men.

It has an interesting past and very grand beginnings in what was a stylish and popular location in 19th century Glasgow.

Picture: Thenue Housing

Monteith Row was built in 1891 and named after the then Lord Provost Henry Monteith.

The street became home to many well respected and wealthy Glaswegians. At one time so many medical men lived there that it was nicknamed “Doctors’ Row.”

Although it continued to be an upmarket address towards the end of the 19th century, wealthier citizens began moving to the west end and its newly-fashionable districts of Dowanhill, Hyndland and Kelvinside

By the 1980s, most of Monteith Row was taken down but the Monteith Hotel with its views of and close proximity to Glasgow Green was spared and remains an important part of Glasgow’s Victorian heritage.

Karen Finlayson, Property Services Manager (Development) added: “Building homes for our communities is an essential part of our work – and our three current developments, when complete, will make a real difference to people’s lives.

“The Monteith Hotel development is an exciting project which preserves a great city building yet turns it into modern, energy efficient homes in the east end.

“It is wonderful that a building with such a rich historical connection to the city is being given a new lease of life.”

Thenue Housing acknowledges the support of Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government with their £6.6 million contribution towards the total cost of this latest development.