Grand Central Glasgow Hotel Renewal, voco Scotland, Architects, Scottish Railway Architecture
voco Grand Central Glasgow Hotel Building
Accommodation Building in Strathclyde renewal design by HLM Architects, Scotland
14 April 2021
Landmark Hotel Refurbishment Completes
refurbishment design: HLM Architects
Works have completed on the refurbishment of voco Grand Central, a 19th Century former Great British Railway Hotel, in the heart of Glasgow city centre. Part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts group, this is the first voco branded hotel in Scotland.
photos courtesy of architects office
The multi-million-pound refurbishment, led by HLM Architects, includes the hotel’s meeting and events spaces, a new dedicated kitchen that serves the historic champagne central bar, 184 guest bedrooms and all public corridors.
A full understanding of the brand and guidance was key to transform this popular destination hotel. Requirements such as the installation of a new air/conditioning system and the installation of secondary glazing to all guest bedrooms added a layer of complexity. Due to its age, city centre location and Category A Listed Building classification, the project needed careful planning and phasing to ensure all parties involved were satisfied with the proposals.
To meet the voco brand standards and modernise the iconic look, elements such as new accent lighting, signage, soft furnishings, and bespoke artwork were added that complement the original ornate listed features. A corridor ceiling raft has been introduced for guest room services to ensure these features, including original cornicing, stone archways and corridors, could remain intact and visible, restoring the building’s history and heritage.
HLM developed and delivered on site the new signature interior look created by London Design Firm Goddard Littlefair, based on a colour palette of neutrals and deep blues which is offset by the characteristic voco yellow as well as accessories and feature walls in soft pink.
Jamie Wilson, Director at HLM Architects, said, “Understanding the voco brand and developing these requirements into the refurbishment allowed us to create a design that enabled the building to express its individuality and unique appearance, whilst providing a modernised hotel for guests and visitors.”
voco Grand Central has recently reopened for essential travel and will reopen for leisure guests as government guidelines allow.
voco Grand Central Glasgow Hotel Building renewal images / information from HLM Architects, Scotland
Previously on Glasgow Architecture:
14 Nov 2014
Glasgow Central Station Renewal
Design: Design & Engineering, Atkins
Atkins have completed a number of significant interventions within the Category A listed Glasgow Central Station.
Main entrances from Union Street and the low level station have been transformed in advance of Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games along with the main concourse washrooms in an attempt to elevate the quality of passenger experience within the internationally significant station building.
photo © Andrew Lee Photographer
Glasgow Central Station
Glasgow Central Station Renewal Architects : Atkins
Central Station Glasgow
Central Station regeneration project by Gordon Murray and Alan Dunlop Architects and Arup Scotland won a prestigious Europa Nostra Award:
Glasgow Station photo: Guthrie Photography, provided by gm+ad architects
Address: 79 Gordon Street, Glasgow, UK G1 3SL
Phone: 0845 711 4141
Central Station – History
Central Station: Blyth & Cunningham 1876-79
Central Hotel: Rowand Anderson 1879; James Miller 1901-06
Central Station regeneration: gm + ad architects 2003
Central Station Glasgow Redevelopment Architect : gm + ad architects
Central Hotel
initial architect – Rowand Anderson
Central Hotel Glasgow completion architect – James Miller
Glasgow Railway Station
Queen Street Glasgow : redevelopment news
Scottish Railway Stations
Waverley Station
Edinburgh Park Station
A building design by gm+ad architects adjacent to the station (west) is the Radisson Hotel Glasgow
Historic Glasgow : best buildings of the past
Comments / photos for the Glasgow Central Station Building page welcome