A heritage-led £23 million plan has been submitted to transform Glasgow’s former Watt Brothers store into a 125-bedroom boutique hotel. The revised planning application, including listed building consent, proposes the redevelopment of the B-listed Art Deco building at 119-121 Sauchiehall Street.
The building was acquired by billionaire brothers Sandy and James Easdale a year after Watt Brothers collapsed in 2019, ending more than a century of trading. A previous £20 million plan for a boutique hotel, luxury residences, and a shopping complex was rejected in 2022 due to concerns over a rooftop extension and non-compliance with the Development Plan.
The new proposal includes a hotel reception, bar, and seating area on the ground floor, with office space and serviced apartments above. Existing shopfronts will be retained, and a two-storey rooftop extension will provide an additional 20 rooms and a guest-accessible terrace.
The design has been developed in consultation with Glasgow City Council and Historic Environment Scotland to ensure it complements the building’s heritage and Sauchiehall Street’s streetscape. The project is expected to support the city centre’s regeneration while preserving an iconic historic landmark.
