A BOUTIQUE hotel has been approved for the upper floors of a historic Glasgow City Centre building.

The 18-bedroom development can go ahead at 53 Virginia Street, commonly known as The Jacobean Building, city planners have decided.

Documents submitted to the City Council stated that the owner has had difficulty renting out any of the Merchant City property for commercial office use.

Bar, restaurant and kitchen facilities have already been developed at ground floor and basement levels.

The statement continued: “Acknowledging the significant and unique history of this building and the surrounding streets in this area of Glasgow, our client wishes to revitalise the building function and create a renewed interest in Virginia Street through development of a new destination here.

“Ongoing attempts to market the property following the approval of the bar/ restaurant facility have indicated potential for the upper floors to be redeveloped into a ‘boutique’ hotel with a range of interestingly-featured en-suite bedrooms.

“Unique period features, enhanced imaginatively, could provide exciting facilities for a range of tourists to the city and contribute to a successful hotel business. This could be managed in partnership with the bar/restaurant or independently.

“The hotel use in this location will add to the variety of available accommodation in this part of the city and enhance the use and accessibility of a Category A-listed building that is important to the history of Glasgow.

“Access via the pend from Virginia Street into the rear courtyard provides an opportunity to create something akin to the quality and character of the adjacent Virginia Court development in this space.”