SUSTAINABLE Ventures has secured a 99-year lease for use of the Lighthouse building in Glasgow city centre.
Glasgow City Council said the long-term lease will bring new life to the building, which is owned by the local authority, with it set to be used as a location for climate tech firms to grow.
The Lighthouse, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1895, is an A-Listed building formerly home to the Glasgow Herald and – from 1999 – Scotland’s Centre for Architecture, Design and the City. A recent review of the Lighthouse failed to find a long-term, sustainable use of the building for council purposes.
Sustainable Ventures is a specialist growth partner for climate tech, empowering entrepreneurs through funding, expert services and a thriving community of peers and partners.
To date, Sustainable Ventures has supported over 1,000 climate tech startups to scale – generating 7,000+ green jobs and £1.2+ billion in funding. Their London and Manchester workspaces, central hubs for their business community, are currently home to over 170 climate tech businesses. Sustainable Ventures recent survey of climate tech founders as part of its forthcoming regional report indicates that hundreds of businesses across Scotland see a dedicated hub as a key catalyst for growth.
Scottish climate tech companies generate more than £15 billion annually for the economy, with most of these businesses located in the central belt – within two hours of the Glasgow city region. A key aim of the Lighthouse project is to secure private sector investment to transform the Lighthouse into a net zero innovation hub, becoming the go-to place for clean tech companies in Scotland to start up, scale up and eventually outgrow the facility.
The granting of the lease allows a long-term, sustainable use for The Lighthouse, with Sustainable Ventures committed to both investing in the building and maintaining public access.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for built heritage and development at Glasgow City Council, said, “The granting of the lease for the Lighthouse for this exciting new purpose not only brings a much-loved Charles Rennie Mackintosh building back to full productive use, but also allows the creation of a space where innovation and investment in a growing sector will help drive the economy of Glasgow in the future.”
James Byrne, partner at Sustainable Ventures, added, “Glasgow’s Lighthouse is set to become the beating heart of Scotland’s climate tech ecosystem. We’re excited to partner with Glasgow City Council to transform this iconic building into a world-class hub – connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and industry to accelerate innovation and unlock the region’s economic potential.
“By supporting founders with funding, expert services, and a collaborative community, we anticipate The Lighthouse will help generate 5,000 inclusive jobs, support 500 companies and drive the transition to net zero, not just for Glasgow but right across Scotland.”
