Exclusive:Egyptian Halls: Proposed developer named for one of Glasgow's architectural treasures
A Glasgow City Council report has named the preferred developer for Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson’s Egyptian Halls on Union Street, one of the city’s most important historic buildings that has languished in dereliction for three decades.
The restoration of Glasgow’s Egyptian Halls has taken a step forward with the selection of a preferred developer to progress plans for the A-listed building. On 5 February, the council’s Contracts and Property Committee will consider whether to approve Edinburgh-based property developers Ediston as its preferred developer to take forward its plans.
Ediston has put forward a proposal to transform the A-listed building into a hotel, with leisure uses on the first and ground floors. If approved, the city council will enter into negotiations over a back-to-back agreement with Ediston, while continuing to advance the Compulsory Purchase Order process to acquire the building from its present owners.
Before it can promote a CPO, the council must determine if there are other interested parties. The paper before committee is the outcome of a marketing exercise conducted over several months in 2025 to determine if there are other interested parties. Three bids were submitted, including Ediston’s and one by the current owner.
The Egyptian Halls have been vacant and derelict for over 30 years and been on the national Buildings at Risk Register since 1990. Scaffolding has been in place for 15 years, despite the fact they are not being used to facilitate repairs or maintenance.
Despite having engaged in discussions regarding the condition of the building and its potential re-use for over three decades, the condition of the property continued to deteriorate. If successfully concluded, the CPO will transfer the property to a developer with a viable plan for the future of the Egyptian Halls.
A council report published this afternoon explains that Ediston’s hotel and leisure plans scored higher than the other proposals in all criteria, have a clear management and team structure and include a defined timeline for development.
The submission includes in-principle commitments from potential new occupiers for the ground and first floor leisure uses and an international hotel operator for the upper floors.
Ediston’s team also includes experts in fundraising for historic assets, who will work to identify additional sources of funding required to deliver on the plans.
The committee report states that Ediston’s bid “represents the strongest proposal to achieve the proper planning of the area, contribute to the regeneration of the surrounding area and secure the future of this A-listed building”.
Preferred developer status allows Ediston to now pursue the outstanding funding required to take forward its plans for the building. The council will continue to pursue the case for a CPO and negotiate an agreement with Ediston whereby the council would use its statutory powers to acquire the property before transferring it to the developer.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Built Heritage and Development at Glasgow City Council, said: “Identifying a compelling, detailed and well-progressed proposal for the Egyptian Halls is key to securing a future for this architectural masterpiece while giving new life and new purpose 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.”
Andy McKinlay, Chairman of Ediston, said: “We are delighted to have been recommended by Glasgow City Council as preferred developer to take forward the restoration and repurposing of The Egyptian Halls and look forward to hearing the Council’s decision following the 5th February Committee.”
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