The site of the former Coliseum Theatre in Glasgow, which was destroyed by fire more than a decade ago, is set to be redeveloped into 64 new homes. The project is part of the ongoing regeneration of the Laurieston area, which aims to create a world-class city quarter.
A Key Role in the Transformation of Laurieston
The land, which was once home to the Coliseum Theatre, a music hall and cinema that operated from the early 1900s to 2003, was acquired by New Gorbals Housing Association (NGHA) in partnership with Urban Union. The development will provide a mix of socially rented and private housing, as well as commercial and community spaces.
The Coliseum site will play a key role in the transformation of Laurieston, helping to connect the new development to Eglinton Street and creating a “face” onto this important thoroughfare. The project will also complement the existing and planned redevelopment of the area, which includes hundreds of high-quality homes, public amenities, green spaces, and arts and cultural venues.
A Fitting Second Act for a Historic Site
The Coliseum Theatre was built in the early 1900s as a music hall and spent most of the century as a cinema. In its latter days, it operated as a bingo hall. The building eventually closed in 2003 and was burnt down in a fire more than a decade ago.
The site has been derelict for so long and many people in Glasgow still remember the Coliseum as an important part of the city’s heritage. The new development will aim to honour the history and legacy of the site, while providing a modern and sustainable living environment for the residents.
A Partnership for a Sustainable, Clean-Energy Future
The development of the Coliseum site is a collaboration between NGHA and Urban Union, a partnership between Robertson Group and McTaggart Construction. The two organisations have been working together on the Laurieston Living project, a £100 million revitalisation of the area that will deliver a world-class city quarter in four phases over a nine-year period.
The project is one of Glasgow’s eight Transformation Regeneration Areas (TRAs), which are focused on delivering for the local community and embedding new homes into the overall community. The project also has a strong commitment to sustainability and clean energy, as it will feature solar panels, electric vehicle charging points, and low-carbon heating systems.
A Vision for a World-Class City Quarter
The redevelopment of the Coliseum site is expected to start later this year, subject to planning approval. The project will add to the ongoing regeneration of Laurieston, which has already seen the completion of 309 homes for social rent and private sale, and the construction of 219 more homes underway.
The project also aims to enhance the social and cultural life of the area, by supporting local assets such as the Citizen’s Theatre, which is undergoing a major refurbishment, and by implementing an award-winning arts and living strategy, which involves public art installations, community events, and educational programmes.
The Coliseum site will be a key component of the vision for Laurieston, which is to create a world-class city quarter that is vibrant, diverse, inclusive, and sustainable.
