Historic gatehouse at Scottish hospital site demolished

The gatehouse to the Victoria Infirmary in Battlefield, built in 1889, was pulled down this month despite public outcry and calls from heritage groups to save it.

The same groups have also now expressed concerns over the fate of another historic building on the site.

The gate house at the Victoria Infirmary has fallen into disrepair. (Image: Newsquest)

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GV of the site of where the former gatehouse to the Victoria Infirmary used to be. The gatehouse was situated behind the hoarding at left of centre. (Image: Colin Mearns)

Sanctuary Housing is building more than 400 flats on the site of the old infirmary.

The developer acquired the 9.5-acre site in 2016 with plans to convert the former hospital into 413 residential homes, 11 commercial units, 43 social rent homes, and 61 mid-market properties.

Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, shared his frustration over the building's end.

He said: "On a quiet Saturday morning, a digger was put through the gatehouse to the Victoria Infirmary at Glasgow’s Queen’s Park and within a few hours, by the time I got there, it was reduced to rubble.

"I appreciate Sanctuary were within their rights here as, frustratingly, the gatehouse was neither listed, or in a conservation area, therefore this is permitted development.

"However, given that it was a building designed by one of the best mid-Victorian architectural practices in Glasgow - Campbell Douglas and Sellars, who designed the 1888 International Exhibition of Science, Art and Industry at the Kelvingrove and what was the St Andrews Hall later the west extension to the Mitchell Library which is one of the finest neoclassical buildings in Europe - perhaps it should have been?

"Regardless, when we are in a housing emergency, demolishing a house which should have been brought back into use at least a decade ago is not a good look.

"Part of what gives ‘The Victoria’ its kerb appeal is the contrast between the new buildings and the surviving historic buildings, and the authenticity that lends it.

"Sadly, yet again, another historic building has been dispatched."

A spokesperson for sanctuary said: “We are fully committed to respecting the heritage of the former Victoria Infirmary site; however, a detailed structural assessment confirmed that the gatehouse is beyond viable repair and presents a significant health and safety risk.

“Having explored all feasible options to retain the gatehouse, but with no safe or practical way to preserve the structure, its removal is the only responsible course of action, which was approved by Glasgow City Council."

So, just three weeks after my original post, on a quiet Saturday morning a digger was put through the gatehouse to the Victoria Infirmary at Glasgow’s Queen’s Park and within a few hours - by the time I got there - it was reduced to rubble.

I appreciate @WeAreSanctuary were… pic.twitter.com/eW4OiZ3bov

— Niall Murphy (@MurphyNiallGLA) December 15, 2025

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GV of the former administration block for the Victoria Infirmary at Langside Road, Glasgow. (Image: Colin Mearns)

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Murphy has now shared his fears that another historic piece of the development may also be at risk.

He added: "It all feels a bit snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and leaves me concerned for the neighbouring Administration building, which is at least ‘B’ listed and meant to be retained, but is in increasingly poor condition and will no longer have the benefit of rates relief."

A spokesperson for sanctuary added: “As we move forward, Sanctuary remains committed to delivering much-needed, high-quality homes for the community, while ensuring the historic character of the wider site continues to be protected and celebrated.”