Anchor Line Building Restored to its Former Glory

Austin-Smith:Lord assisted the Di Maggio restaurant owners in securing listed building consent for the work to transform this ground floor former office space unit into an exclusive restaurant offer.

The Category A listed building was designed by James Miller and constructed in 1905-07 as bespoke offices for the Glasgow-based Anchor Line shipping business in St Vincent Place.

David Millar, Director and Head of Conservation, has stated that he is “absolutely delighted to see the former Anchor Line building brought back to its former glory as a new restaurant and bar facility for the DiMaggio restaurant chain owners in Glasgow”.

David was originally involved in 2006, preparing a conservation statement to secure a change of use consent for the building.  He then directly assisted in securing the planning and listed building consents for the restoration of the building and interior fit-out of the restaurant.

The main bar area is located in the first class booking office of the Anchor Line, one of Glasgow’s leading international shipping companies that commissioned the office building in 1905 with opulent interiors, decorative plasterwork and carved wood with nautical motifs such as shells and sailing ships repeated in the ornate plaster and carving.  The façade is of white Carrara ware faience by Doulton.