Admiral Bar building demolished to make way for 19-storey student block in Glasgow city centre

A large gap has been left in Glasgow city centre after the building that housed the well-known Admiral Bar was demolished.

Plans for the site at 64-72A Waterloo Street have been approved, allowing work to move forward on student housing.

Pedestrians are being directed to the southern pavement, as the works have closed the outside walkway.

What is being built

Two planning applications approved by Glasgow City Council set out proposals for the site, including the demolition of one unlisted building and one B-listed building.

The plans include a 19-storey student accommodation block with 350 beds. Facilities will include a cinema, a sports hall, podcast studios, a gym, a lounge and a karaoke room.

Facade to be kept

The facade of the former Distiller's Building, designed by architect James Chalmers, will be kept and incorporated into the new design.

Developer Varsity Developments said it had prioritised the preservation of the Distiller's Building and the conservation of its character and heritage.

Why here?

Planning documents say the site is suited to student housing because it is close to universities, colleges and other education establishments. It is also next to an M8 slip road, as well as Glasgow Central Station and the city centre's bus routes.

The Admiral's new home

The Admiral Bar closed in March 2023 after 60 years in the city. Its owners and staff moved to what is now The Admiral Woods, on the corner of Waterloo Street and Wellington Street.

Purpose-built student accommodation has become one of the most common forms of new development in Glasgow city centre, as the city's universities and colleges continue to attract large numbers of students.