217-221, Argyle Street, City Centre

4-storey Venetian-style warehouse with modern shops at ground floor, 9 bays. Iron-framed. 1st floor pilastrade, linked to 2nd floor as giant arcade, ligatured together at 2nd floor level. 2nd floor slim colannaded arcade with console keyblocks. 3rd floor moulded cill band, continuous quarter architraves with panelling below. Consoled bracketted boldly projecting eaves; modillion cornice. Some alterations at 1st floor. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

James Thomson briefly continued Baird's experiments in cast-iron facades with McConnal patent beams in the early 1860s but thereafter his practice, which was amongst the very largest in Scotland, focused on commercial architecture, pioneering the concept of large city office blocks with shops built for rental.(Dictionary of Scottish Architects)

June 2004: The property has been vacant for about a year. External inspection reveals it to remain in good condition. It is being marketed for lease. October 2007: External inspection reveals the building to be vacant, although thought to have been in use within the last year as "Music Zone". The property is now being marketed. Overall the property is in good condition but there is foliage growth along the gutter.

January 2011: External inspection finds the building remains derelict. Outwardly, it appears to remain in good condition.

March 2012: A member of the public advises the ground and first floor premises are currently occupied by Thats Entertainment music store. As largest part of building back in use, moved to Saved.

7 November 2013: External inspection finds the That's Entertainment store has now closed. This building has been repeatedly vacated and no reuses have suceeded in the long term in recent years. The building is prone to vandalism and has now been disused for some time. Full Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for use of shop as entertainment venue comprising ground and first floor bar, second floor restaurant and third floor night club and erection of ventilation flue on rear wall were conditionally granted Aug 2013 ref: 13/00345/DC & 13/00346/DC . The building is being advertised for sale or lease through agent Glen & Co. Moved back to At Risk.

26 June 2014: The building remains under marketing for sale at offers of £2million with consents in place for change of use to entertainment venue/ restaurant, or for lease at £200,000 per annum, through agent Glen & Co.

4 October 2021: A member of the public contacts BAR to advise the building is now in use as a Wetherspoons. Moved to Saved.

31 March 2022: Local planner contacts BARR to confirm building has not been in use. Moved back to At-Risk.

13 December 2022: The property is currently up for auction through Future Property Auctions. The opening bid price is currently £1,755,000 with bidding closing on 15 December 2022. According to the Registers of Scotland, the property was last purchased 28 July 2022.

Planning permission is currently being sought for use of vacant shop (Class 1) as 2No. restaurants (Class 3) with erection of flues to rear and frontage alterations (ref:22/02653/FUL) and for internal and external alterations to listed building (ref:22/02654/LBA).

12 January 2023: The property is currently up for auction through Future Property Auctions. The opening bid price is £1,755,000 with bidding closing on 26th January 2023.

28 June 2023: External inspection finds that the building remains in good condition and appears secure.

Post-survey:
Previously noted applications (ref: 22/02654/LBA and 22/02653/FUL) have been granted with conditions. Applications for frontage alterations, installation of flues, extracts and condenser units to rear (ref: 23/01525/FUL) and internal and external alterations and signage to listed building (ref: 23/01528/LBA) are currently pending consideration. The proposed plans are for the reoccupation of the ground and first floors only, not for the second and third floors.

25 August 2023: The property continues to be up for auction through Future Property Auctions.

2 February 2024: The property is currently being marketed for sale through TSA Property Consultants for £1,650,000.

29 April 2024: The property is being marketed at auction (16/05/2024) by Future Property Auction for an opening bid of £1,611,000.

22 August 2024: Listed Building Consent for alterations and repainting of shopfront (24/01739/LBA) is being sought.

27 August 2024: Marketing detail removed.