Seeing derelict historic spaces around Glasgow is heartbreaking, reminding us of a past now gone. From the city centre to its outskirts, the city has plenty of listed buildings in need of some love, and Springburn Winter Gardens is no exception. However, it looks like its restoration project is moving forward one step at a time, as applications have now been lodged for Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent by the Springburn Winter Gardens Trust.
Having been closed for four decades, the space is completely abandoned, but the new project would allow the public to access Springburn Winter Gardens as a ‘Living Ruin’, boasting a safe, open-air community space while retaining the original 1900 glasshouse structure. The community could also enjoy gardening, allotments, food events, a market garden, festivals, exhibitions and many other activities, turning it into a flexible space.
Springburn Winter Gardens was built in 1900, and is one of only five Victorian glasshouses in Glasgow. However, the structure got severely damaged during a storm in 1983, and has been closed since. Initially, it was meant to be demolished in 1985, but was granted listed status before it could happen.
What is more, the project has now received £ 1 million in funding from the Scottish Government, from the regeneration capital grant fund, allowing plans to move forward. Once the applications get approved by the Glasgow City Council, works can commence.
The plans said: “Springburn Winter Gardens Trust’s ambition is to bring this extraordinary building back into the life of Springburn after more than four decades of closure.”
“The ‘living ruin’ is an important first step: safeguarding the historic structure, making it accessible and creating a flexible community space where people can gather, learn, grow, make and celebrate.
“Rather than waiting for the resources required for complete restoration, our ambition is to put the winter gardens back into use now, allowing activities and ideas to develop with the community while protecting the possibility of full restoration in the future.”
When could Springburn Winter Gardens reopen to the public?
As of now, once the applications get sorted, the project should be complete by March 2027.
