Two disused commercial units in Ibrox which had lain empty for over a decade have been transformed into a new home for social rent by Govan Housing Group. The properties on Harley Street were acquired and refurbished thanks to significant funding from Glasgow City Council, with the remainder of the project financed by Govan Housing Group.
The one-bedroom home includes an open-plan kitchen and living area, shower room, cycle storage and is located just a short walk from Cessnock Subway station.
Several frontage alterations were made, including the blocking up of existing shopfronts and a new access door added to an existing close at 11 Harley Street.
The new home will shortly be handed over to its first tenant, providing another much-needed affordable home contributing to efforts to address Glasgow’s housing emergency. The project was visited by the Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and City Convener for Housing and Development, Cllr Ruari Kelly, to see first-hand how the vacant units had been transformed.
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Affordable homes are desperately needed in Scotland, and the nation recently declared a national housing emergency. Social housebuilding in Scotland recently hit a 19-year low, with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations voicing major concerns around the government’s 2032 affordable housing target. This comes as temporary accommodation use reached record levels, with 19,004 households recorded trapped in temporary accommodation, a 10% increase year-on-year.
Cllr Ruari Kelly, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and City Convener for Housing and Development, said: “Conversion and infill are going to be a vitally important way to reuse existing buildings and stitch parts of the city back together. This is a great example of how these types of interventions can deliver much needed housing and make a huge difference to communities.
“Together with Govan Housing Group, we have been able to transform two disused commercial spaces while protecting some of Glasgow’s historic tenements. It’s great to see this project complete and shortly become someone’s home.”
Caron Quinn, Chief Executive of Govan Housing Group, said: “Addressing Glasgow’s housing emergency is about making the most of every opportunity to create high-quality affordable homes. While major developments have an important role to play, projects like this show how existing buildings can also be brought back into productive use.
“These units had stood empty for some time, but through a strategic acquisition with Glasgow City Council, close partnership working and innovative design solutions we have been able to transform them into a modern, energy-efficient home. We look forward to welcoming the new tenant and seeing this part of the building contributing to the community once again.”
