Ediston proposes after life for Glasgow’s Egyptian Halls

Built in 1872, the Grade A listed building is considered the city’s finest example of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson architecture and has been unoccupied for more than 30 years.

In its proposal, Ediston seeks to transform the building into a mixed-use development featuring a Scottish food market and a 70-bedroom apartment hotel and has secured two anchor tenants. The List Market, publishers of the List magazine, will create a food hall with communal dining occupying the ground and first floors.

The upper floors will feature Bob W, an award-winning European hospitality operator which has over 5,000 units across 16 countries. The proposals incorporate a new roof pavilion, complementing the historic façade, providing additional hotel rooms and amenity space.

Andy McKinlay, Ediston’s chairman, said: “We have the opportunity to restore one of the city’s flagship heritage buildings that will transform Union Street, providing a high quality destination, for both day and night that will attract increased footfall, create jobs and revitalise the area.

“The redevelopment of such an important listed building will have its challenges however, we have a highly skilled team and support from heritage organisations to make it happen. The List Market and Bob W are two exciting brands to be welcomed to the city and all going well we believe the building can be completed and delivered in 2029.”

The project team includes John Gilbert Architects, which has a strong track record in refurbishing and repurposing heritage buildings, and Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.

Yesterday’s move by Glasgow City Council’s Contracts and Property Committee follows last year’s decision to explore the use of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers to secure the Egyptian Halls’ future. That process included the marketing of the building to interested parties across the summer and autumn of 2025.

Following the committee decision, the city council will now negotiate terms for a ‘back-to-back agreement’ with Ediston, while continuing to take forward the work required to ensure that the CPO can be legally and financially delivered. It also allows Ediston to further develop its proposals and work towards securing full funding for the plans. 

Located on the city’s Union Street, the Egyptian Halls have been on the national Buildings at Risk Register since 1990.

In February 2025, the council instigated the process to acquire the Egyptian Halls via a CPO, a legal tool which allows local authorities to support development by purchasing private property either for its own use or use by other parties.

As part of the CPO process, a local authority must determine if there are other interested parties, as well as considering any proposals which the building’s owners may bring forward.  

The Egyptian Halls generated more than 20 notes of interest, with three bids submitted, including one from the current owners. According to the council, Ediston’s plans scored significantly higher than the other proposals in all criteria, have a clear management and team structure and include a defined timeline for development.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for Built Heritage and Development at Glasgow City Council, said: “This is a compelling, detailed and well-progressed proposal for the Egyptian Halls. While there’s much work yet to do, today’s decision can be a significant milestone in securing a future for this architectural masterpiece while giving new life and new purposes to Glasgow’s built heritage.

“By their very nature CPOs are lengthy and complex. But it’s important for Glasgow’s past - and its present and future - that we get this process right and bring this incredible building back to the heart of city life.”

Once both a sufficiently robust case for a CPO and terms between the council and Ediston are in place, a report will come back to the relevant council committee to proceed with the promotion of the CPO and to enter into a legally-binding agreement with the developer.