Exclusive:The Ivy's audacious plans for two huge restaurants in Glasgow city centre have been approved
Work will begin next week on two restaurants with 466 covers from the hospitality group The Ivy Collection, with plans to open on St Vincent Place later this year.
Planning permission and listed building approval for the conversion of the banking hall on St Vincent Place has been granted. The plans were approved by Glasgow City Council today. The bold vision submitted on behalf of The Ivy and The Ivy Asia restaurant brands includes details similar to those at the existing The Ivy restaurant on Buchanan Street, which also involved the repurposing of a former bank building.
Most recently operating as Virgin Money until 2023, the former Clydesdale Bank building in a prominent location in the city centre has been vacant in the years since the branch’s closure. Now work will begin on a multi-million pound investment to convert the premises into two restaurants - with external seating outside.
Zander Planning has been appointed by Troia Restaurants (UK) Ltd, who propose alterations to the listed building, to produce a planning statement. Glasgow developer Lujo Properties will make three floors of the building in St Vincent Place available for the project.
Whilst plans outline only minor alterations to the outside of the building, the inside would be completely revamped to offer an “unique dining experience”. Combined, the dining spaces would represent one of the largest hospitality footprints in a single building within Glasgow city centre, close to Scotland’s largest Thai restaurant, Chaophraya on Buchanan Street and Scotland’s largest Chinese restaurant, Zhima, on St Vincent Place.
The 1870s former bank was designed by John Burnet Senior and that, alongside the Mossman family’s sculptural work, means the former Clydesdale Bank building is considered historically and architecturally significant.
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The planning statement reads: “A new future for the building is required and it is our opinion that this lies with the proposed new restaurant use. In is our opinion that this use can be accommodated within the building without too many significant interventions and will result in an enhancement of the character of the building and its preservation.”
Pointing to Glasgow City Council’s Vision for the Golden Z, referring to Glasgow’s three main shopping streets—Buchanan Street, Sauchiehall Street, and Argyle Street - the planning statement states that council plans “specifically highlights that the former bank could be suitable for conversion to a restaurant.”
The statmenet continues: “The proposal offers the opportunity to accommodate a new use for this building through the proposed alterations. The proposed alterations are overall sympathetic to the Category A listed status of the building and also offers opportunities to preserve and enhance the building.”
The planning statement indicates that investment of around £10 million will be invested into the property “and within the city centre.”
Troia Restaurants (UK) Ltd operate a number of other brands - including The Ivy Collection, The Ivy Asia, Harry’s Dolce Vita, Harry’s Bar James Street, and Brasserie of Light (Troia).
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