JR Scaffold Services is undertaking a milestone project to support the transformation of a vacant hotel in Glasgow’s west end into luxury student accommodation.
The business, which is part of The JR Group, is carrying out the work at the former Lorne Hotel on behalf of Parklane Group in what represents the first project that the developer has undertaken in Scotland.
The former three-star hotel, located on the corner of Glasgow’s Derby Street and Sauchiehall Street, comprises two distinct buildings which adjoin each other in the prominent west end location.
Having benefited from many upgrades and extensions over the years, the hotel features an existing grade-A listed building to the rear – with a larger, more prominent, extended building built in the 1960’s to the front.
The main body of the modern building will see full renovation works internally, as well as a new external façade, transforming into 147 studio apartments. The older part of the building, which is grade-A listed, will also benefit from some minimal stone repair and a new slated roof as well as some internal works.
Evan Horne, of JR Scaffold Services, said, “The Lorne Hotel has seen many facelifts and extensions over the years from the Edwardian and Victoria eras, right through to the 1960’s, so the mix of building materials and the fabric of the buildings are quite complex.
“The brief is to refurbish, repair and regenerate this iconic city property into luxury student accommodation, as well as visually improving and embedding the building into the local urban fabric, whilst also drastically improving its thermal performance.
“Our scaffolding will provide access for the full new fabrication of the building façade as well as for the roofing works, and the installation of the new windows.
“The scaffolding will also enable the creation of the new steel super structure for the extension at rear and the new level planned for this iconic building. It will also act as an overall edge protection to many areas.
“The team on site will be continually stripping and rebuilding the scaffolding structure as the project progresses to assist with its redevelopment.
“We are delighted to have been awarded this contract from Parklane Group and are excited to see the finished result once this fantastic building in a prominent location in Glasgow’s West End has been brought back to life.”
Work began earlier this year with three full-time members of the JR Scaffold Services team on site until early 2025.
