Registry + Council Offices, Bearsden

Client: Private
Architect: Bespoke by Emma Ellson Architects Ltd.
Budget: undisclosed
Contractor: MPE Properties
Structural Engineer: GJR Ltd.
Windows: Preservation Windows
Stone Repairs: External Paint Farrow + Ball French Grey
Landscaping: PD Stokes Landscaping
Photo Credits: Mack Photo

A prominent C Listed Building, located in Old Bearsden Conservation Area. Known locally as the Registry + Council offices, with our clients, we sought to obtain Change of Use, Full Planning + Listed Building Consent to transform this dilapidated Listed Building into a desirable family home.

On initial inspections, this property, was not in a good state of repair, riddled with damp, rot, single glazed windows and a dilapidated single storey rear protrusion, ill fitting with the original property. The interior and exterior of the building retained many of its original architectural features, resulting in its C Listed Status, known to the locale as the Registry + Council offices. Over time the building had become redundant with new facilities now offered in the Hub of the town, yet the property retained a charm that welcomed restoration rather than demolition, given its listed status. With an ambitious client on board, we sought to restore the property into a family home rather than to carve it up into several apartments, allowing principal apartments and character to be retained. Our focus was to retain the original architectural features whilst allowing the building to be extended, and refurbished to allow a modern interior, as required for modern day living and upgrading the exterior to allow the property to regain the quality it deserved.

The first task was obvious, to remove the ill-fitting ramp, and non-original partitions that blocked the original staircase, opening up the property and re-instating the natural flow to the upper rooms, which created generous bedroom accommodation. With some careful considerations, en-suite and bathroom facilities were provided without destroying any original features but by removing all ill-fitting services, strip lighting and conduit that had previously been installed as part of the office use.

Whilst the original property was ample in size, we sought to replace the single storey extensions to the rear and side of the property, by replacing the previous additions which had served their useful life and were ill-fitting with the listed property. New contemporary extensions were added allowing a family snug, with access to the sizeable garden plot, which has been completely re-landscaped into a garden from a car park, and side extension offering a new utility area and boot room to ensure the main kitchen space, located in the principal room, remains a clean and tidy, yet functional space, ideal for socialising.

The result is a highly desirable family home, in a prime location within a traditional listed building but with contemporary functional and necessary additions to create a forever ‘dream home’.