Glasgow City Council is set to approve a transformative lease agreement on Thursday that could breathe new life into one of the city’s most architecturally significant buildings whilst positioning Scotland’s largest city at the forefront of the climate technology revolution.
Councillors will be asked to endorse a 99-year lease with Sustainable Ventures (Scotland) Ltd to convert the A-listed Lighthouse building on Mitchell Lane into a dedicated net zero innovation hub, subject to planning approval and funding arrangements.
Under the proposed agreement, the council would receive rental income equivalent to 8% of revenue generated by the climate technology incubator, which is affiliated with Sustainable Workspaces CIC, Europe’s largest ecosystem of climate tech startups.
The arrangement marks a potential turning point for the iconic Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed building, which has remained largely closed to the public since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.
Originally designed by Mackintosh in 1895 as his first major public commission, the building served as the headquarters of The Herald newspaper for 112 years before being transformed into Scotland’s Centre for Architecture, Design and the City in 1999.
“We’re excited by our expansion into Scotland, and the move illustrates the importance and potential of climate tech and energy transition here,” said Garry Boyle, Regional Development Associate for Scotland at Sustainable Ventures. “The overall plan is focussed on leveraging capital from London into Scotland alongside specialist support to help Scotland transition to net zero.”
Securing the Building’s Long-Term Future
The proposal represents a significant shift in strategy for Glasgow City Council, which has struggled to maintain and operate the building since the pandemic forced its temporary closure. Council officials have previously stated that budget constraints prevent the building from being staffed to accommodate public visitors.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, the council’s convener for development, built heritage, housing and land use, framed the proposal as essential for the building’s preservation. “The Lighthouse is a fantastic example of the built heritage which defines Glasgow, a Charles Rennie Mackintosh classic right in the heart of the city,” Kelly said. “But it’s been an architectural treasure in search of a purpose for a number of years. The proposal to bring the Lighthouse back into use as space for hi-tech start-ups is exactly the type of project which can revitalise this wonderful building, bringing new purposes and new agendas to Glasgow’s historic core.”
In April, councillors approved the allocation of £2 million from UK government funding for essential repairs to the building, including improvements to windows, gutters, brickwork and the distinctive chimney. Additional work will address broken slates, repair a leak on the viewing platform roof, and potentially convert the heating system to sustainable energy sources.
Council officials have confirmed reaching agreement to obtain vacant possession of two areas on the upper floors currently under lease, clearing the way for the proposed transformation. Two ground-floor commercial units would not be included in the lease agreement and would continue to operate separately.
The agreement with Sustainable Ventures includes provisions for public access, potentially allowing the building to once again welcome tourists and school groups. The proposal also aims to reintroduce event space for external groups and provide education focused on the renewable energy sector.
The project’s backers have set ambitious employment targets, aiming to create thousands of high-skilled jobs over the first decade of operation. This would provide space for clean tech companies throughout Scotland to establish themselves, scale up, and eventually outgrow the facility, creating what officials describe as “a pipeline of economic activity” supporting skills and talent emerging from Glasgow and the wider city region.
