ABC building in Glasgow could be demolished this week

A dangerous buildings notice was issued to its owners last month, requiring them to have it demolished by December 9.

There have been calls for the building’s façade to be retained, but a council planner said “full or partial retention of this building is not viable”.

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Originally submitted in 2019, the application to knock down the building from owners Obarcs No1 LLP received more than 50 objections.

However, a report stated that visits to the site in March and June of this year showed "further deterioration", with the order that demolition work begin by September 30.

Glasgow City Council said: "In recent months, new inspection was undertaken due to the ongoing situation and with no works having been undertaken on the building. It was found that due to continued internal deterioration affecting the façade a section of safety exclusion zone had to be re-introduced on Sauchiehall Street.

"As the building was continuing to deteriorate having been open to the elements for so long, the owners were informed that a dangerous building notice would be served to address the ongoing concerns."

The Herald understands that work to demolish the building could begin as soon as this week.

Campaign group Save Britain's Heritage are calling for the art deco facade of the building to be preserved as part of Glasgow's "architectural heritage".

The ABC as a cinema (Image: Newsquest)

A letter from the group, published in The Herald stated: "We call on the current owners of the ABC Cinema, OBARCS (ABC) Ltd, and future developer Vita Group to save the eye-catching portico entrance of this Glasgow landmark and retain it as part of future proposals for this site.   

"This former cinema, which sits right next door to the world-famous Glasgow School of Art is under imminent threat of demolition.  

"This Category C-listed building of cultural significance is defined by its iconic art deco entrance designed in 1929 by one of Scotland's celebrated cinema architects, C. J. McNair. This building has been the site of entertainment of many different kinds for generations of Glaswegians. It has changed and adapted over the years, from panorama, to circus, to ice rink, to dance hall, to cinema, to music venue. It was the site of Glasgow's first ever moving picture show. 

"We urge the current owners and future developers to respect not bulldoze Glasgow’s architectural heritage. Work with a conservation engineer to save not just fragments but the whole solid central entrance to this much-loved building. Future generations will thank you."

The ABC as a music venue (Image: Newsquest)

Opened in 1929 as the ABC cinema, the building was designed by the architect CJ McNair and stood on the site of what had been Scotland's largest diorama.

Before its use as a cinema it was the location of Hengler's Circus, an ice skating rink and a dance hall.

Following its closure as a cinema in 1998 and 1999, it was refitted to become a music venue, with David McBride of Regular Music winning permission to create a venue holding 1,300.

It re-opened in the summer of 2005 with an event headlined by Roddy Frame.

Reviewing, The Herald said: "The ABC itself is a superb addition to the facilities in Style-city. The main auditorium is blessed with great sound and sightlines, the bars and toilet provision generous.

"It is big enough to feel important and small enough to feel intimate.

"ABC2 downstairs, where the Buff Club DJs spun funk and soul discs into the small hours, is likely - like the upstairs Polar Bar - to become a place to be seen."

That summer it would host Mogwai, US pop-punk stars Sum 41 and, in October, an on the rise Arctic Monkeys.

Other artists to grace the stage included Paramore, Glasvegas, Paolo Nutini, Kendrick Lamar and Public Enemy.

On the night of the fire, tribute act Foo Fighters GB were due to play the ABC1, with Glasgow band Patersani in the smaller ABC2.

American alt-rock group Belly's show at the venue on that night was rescheduled for The Garage.

Glasgow City Council has been contacted for comment.