Florentine House
Location: Florentine House, 53 Hillhead St, Glasgow, G12 8QF
Zone: Zone E, Zone 3
Project Overview:
Florentine House is a Grade B Listed Building, built around 1828 as a family home for the Glasgow ironmonger Robert Watt. Its significance as one of the only freestanding villas remaining in the West End earns it its listed status. Florentine House was acquired by the University in 1981 and is currently home the College of Social Sciences.
In 2022 a large-scale project commenced to help preserve and repair the property. The works included a significant amount of both internal and external works. The building services were also completely replaced.
Internal works:
- New Fire System and Security throughout Florentine House;
Fire Screens, Fire Alarm and EL, Security Card Access Install - AV & IT update
- Lighting replacement throughout with new LED lighting
- Decoration, Floor Coverings and Furniture Solutions
- Internal Doors & Fireplaces
- Cornices & Plaster Repairs
- Rising Damp and Dry Rot Repair
- Ironmongery
External works:
- Stone Repairs, Lime Render
- Window and Door Repair
- Roof Repair, Roof Leadwork, Structural Chimney Works
- Underground Drainage
Services works:
- Rewire Small Power
- New Data Network and Comms Room
- New Plumbing and Incoming Water Main, Instantaneous Hot Water
- New Air Source Heat Pump Heating System
- New Three Phase Incoming Electricity Supply
Project Benefits
- Custodianship
Repair and preservation of Grade B listed building. - Sustainability
Reduced carbon emissions, through energy saving measures such as window refurbishment, energy efficient lighting installation, modernisation of building insulation and removal of Gas Fossil Fuel dependence. - Improved Staff Experienced
Staff working space upgrades improved environmental controls (temperature, lighting etc.) whilst also providing more ergonomic furniture and IT equipment, flexibility of use and improved collaboration opportunities. - Improved Space Utilisation
Reconfiguration of office space increased the number of desks available and improved the utilisation of the desks themselves by embracing agile working practices.
Construction Start Date: August 2022
Construction End Date: December 2023
Project Costs: £2,200,000
Strategic Themes Addressed by Project:
Custodianship, Sustainability, Staff & Student Experience, Space, People
Project Team:
Project Manager: Bill Gibson
Development Manager: Iain Wallace
Clerk of Works: David Welsh
Lead Advisor: Gleeds
Contractor: Taylor and Fraser
