28/4/2008Conversion of ballroom 'is a monstrosity'
IT was hoped it would breathe new life into an area marred by a derelict ballroom.
But a new block of flats built around a famous Glasgow landmark has been branded a 'monstrosity' by local residents.
Work on creating 77 homes at the site of the old Plaza Ballroom on the south side of the city is nearing completion and scaffolding has now been removed, unveiling the development for the first time.
Those behind the project went to some lengths to incorporate parts of the ballroom's unlisted facade on
Victoria Road.
But the design, which cost developers £150,000 to retain the old brickwork, has proved very unpopular with local residents from Eglinton Toll.
Karen Reid, 35, who lives yards away from the new block of flats, said: "Nobody in the area likes it. I used to go to the Plaza and I can't believe what they've done with it. It's ugly."
Norrie Watson, from the south side of the city, said: "I think it's an eyesore.
"They are condemning part of the old Glasgow."
John Hart, 58, a former teacher, said: "It's extremely imposing and not in a good way."
However, Robbie Stevenson, managing director of developers Southplace Homes hit back at accusations the building is ugly.
He said:"This was an un-listed building and we were under no obligation whatsoever to retain any of it.
"But we made the decision to retain some of Glasgow's history at a cost of £150,000.
"It wasn''t the easiest job for us to do.
"We have had to put some new parts because some of the original building was beyond repair.
"What people are seeing now is not the finished design.
"We are carrying out a clean-up of all the old stonework.
"Residents had their opportunity to object to the design during the planning process."
One senior member of builders Ashley Construction admitted the project had been 'extremely difficult' but insisted the flats - priced from £115,000 for a studio apartment to £190,000 - were enticing prospective buyers.
However a spokeswoman for Southplace Homes said uptake had so far been "slow"
The first phase of the development is expected to be completed by May, with the remainder ready shortly afterwards.
Eglinton Toll has become a prime property hotspot thanks to a clutch of ultra-trendy apartments.
It boasts at least three new developments, with others in the pipeline.
Plans are also on course to transform First's Larkfield bus depot into a major development with around 600 flats.
The Plaza opened in 1922 and was one of the city's most popular dance halls in its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s.
With its multicoloured lights system, sprung floor and central fountain it was deemed to be ahead of its time.
However, the ballroom was finally boarded up in the mid-1990s.
But a new block of flats built around a famous Glasgow landmark has been branded a 'monstrosity' by local residents.
Work on creating 77 homes at the site of the old Plaza Ballroom on the south side of the city is nearing completion and scaffolding has now been removed, unveiling the development for the first time.
Those behind the project went to some lengths to incorporate parts of the ballroom's unlisted facade on
Victoria Road.
But the design, which cost developers £150,000 to retain the old brickwork, has proved very unpopular with local residents from Eglinton Toll.
Karen Reid, 35, who lives yards away from the new block of flats, said: "Nobody in the area likes it. I used to go to the Plaza and I can't believe what they've done with it. It's ugly."
Norrie Watson, from the south side of the city, said: "I think it's an eyesore.
"They are condemning part of the old Glasgow."
John Hart, 58, a former teacher, said: "It's extremely imposing and not in a good way."
However, Robbie Stevenson, managing director of developers Southplace Homes hit back at accusations the building is ugly.
He said:"This was an un-listed building and we were under no obligation whatsoever to retain any of it.
"But we made the decision to retain some of Glasgow's history at a cost of £150,000.
"It wasn''t the easiest job for us to do.
"We have had to put some new parts because some of the original building was beyond repair.
"What people are seeing now is not the finished design.
"We are carrying out a clean-up of all the old stonework.
"Residents had their opportunity to object to the design during the planning process."
One senior member of builders Ashley Construction admitted the project had been 'extremely difficult' but insisted the flats - priced from £115,000 for a studio apartment to £190,000 - were enticing prospective buyers.
However a spokeswoman for Southplace Homes said uptake had so far been "slow"
The first phase of the development is expected to be completed by May, with the remainder ready shortly afterwards.
Eglinton Toll has become a prime property hotspot thanks to a clutch of ultra-trendy apartments.
It boasts at least three new developments, with others in the pipeline.
Plans are also on course to transform First's Larkfield bus depot into a major development with around 600 flats.
The Plaza opened in 1922 and was one of the city's most popular dance halls in its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s.
With its multicoloured lights system, sprung floor and central fountain it was deemed to be ahead of its time.
However, the ballroom was finally boarded up in the mid-1990s.