It is one of Glasgow’s oldest buildings and has stood proudly at its site since the 15th century.
Now Provan Hall, in Auchinlea Park, Easterhouse, is going to be repaired as part of a multi-million pound project after being “identified as a key gateway access point to the Seven Lochs Wetland Park”.
Glasgow City Council has granted permission for renovations to be carried out, including repairing the fabric of the building, re-surfacing the courtyard and forming a new welcome hub and office.
Work on the category A-listed building will be funded by £4.5 million received by the Seven Lochs Heritage Project from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2016.
Additional funding will be provided by Historic Environment Scotland’s repair grant programme.
The hall is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and leased to Glasgow City Council.
“Upon completion of the restoration project, the building will be managed by the Provan Hall Community Management Trust, under a sub-lease from the council,” a planning report submitted by applicant LDN Architects LLP reveals.
“Its primary function will remain as a visitor attraction and community facility, with necessary enhancements to create a high quality offering with better facilities. Investing in the visitor experience and community engagement at Provan Hall will enable the building to fulfill its potential as a visitor attraction, and ensure that it is protected into the future.
“Audience engagement with heritage is a primary aim of the project, and a significant increase in visitors to the building and surrounding park are expected. The building is completely unique within Glasgow and it is essential that a wide range of visitors are welcomed to the building and that they can experience it in a safe and comfortable way.”
Repairs are also set to be carried out at Woodside Library in the city to ensure “public safety”.
One of the city’s Carnegie libraries, the B-listed property, which was built in 1905, has “deteriorated significantly” over the years.
Glasgow Life, which runs the library on behalf of the council, has submitted a planning application requesting permission to restore the building, including replacing its glazed dome.
The dome structure has “deteriorated significantly over the years due to water penetration”, a planning report reveals.
“The glazing is warped and cracked due to movement, the timber mullions have rotted and the supporting steel structure is delaminating with the dome and cowl sitting visibly “off level”.
“Additionally sections of plasterwork have become dislodged and have fallen from a height into the library space below.
“This area has therefore been closed to the public for safety reasons.
“It is considered that the existing dome is beyond economic repair and it is proposed that this [be] removed and the construction stripped back to the steel structure and the rooflight replaced.”
Work will include strengthening the supporting steelwork and forming a new “crown” piece to replace the current chandelier support, which will be displayed in the library.
The chandelier will be removed for refurbishment and reinstated.
Any dry rot discovered will be treated, the ornate plasterwork will be reinstated to match the existing design and the interior of the dome will also be re-decorated in a colour scheme to match the existing one.
The St Georges Road library is one of seven in the city designed by architect James Robert Rhind and built after money was donated by Andrew Carnegie.
The planning report states: “The proposed dome replacement is in line with a number of both the city council’s and Glasgow Life’s objectives including a commitment to improving library environments, ensuring the public’s welfare and safety and ensuring that resources are made best use of.
“The dome’s replacement will also help to maintain the building’s legacy and use into the future.”
Recently, Glasgow City Council revealed another Carnegie library, in Parkhead, could become a drama and performance space.
Councillors agreed a £2.5m scheme to move the library from its current Grade B-listed building at the corner of Tollcross Road and Helenvale Street into a new east end healthcare hub.
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