A new future for Elmbank House

An iconic Victorian building, which once housed orphans in the west end of Glasgow, has been brought back to life as much-needed new housing.

19th century B-Listed Elmbank House, overlooking the city's Victoria Park in Scotstoun, has lain in a state of severe disrepair for some years.

Now Thenue Housing has transformed it into flats for rent while preserving its important historic appeal.

Scottish Government Minister Roseanna Cunningham MSP officially declared the homes open on 9th November.

The £3.8 million development in Westland Drive, Scotstoun, has created 13 properties in the building, which can trace its history as far back as 1891.

The restoration of Elmbank House has been complemented by the construction of a separate adjacent building by CrossReach, the social care arm of the Church of Scotland.

It has created "Rainbow House", a residential rehabilitation and support centre for 17 individuals who are committed to recovery from drug and alcohol misuse problems.

Yvonne McShea, Chair of Thenue Housing, said: "We have a strong commitment to providing new homes and we have been doing that since 1979 when the housing association was created. Elmbank House is another step forward in delivering good housing which is much needed."

Charlies Turner, Chief Executive of Thenue Housing added: "The restoration of Elmbank House has brought back to life a striking and well known west end building in a superb location overlooking one of the city's best known parks. Prior to our involvement it has been in a severe state of decay for some time and its new lease of life has been widely welcomed by local people."

The new-look Elmbank House represents Thenue's first housing development outside the existing communities which it serves. These include Calton, Bridgeton, Dalmarnock, Castlemilk and a number of areas in the north of the city such as Blackhill and Cranhill.

Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Roseanna Cunningham, said: "It is a privilege to offically open the new Rainbow House facility and I offer my sincere congratulations and thanks to Thenue Housing and CrossReach for making, what will be a valuable facility for people and families affected by drug problems, a reality.

"This Government's firm belief is that people can and do recover from drug problems and addiction. Our national drugs strategy, the Road to Recovery, offers a framework to tackle Scotland's legacy of drug misuse through action, not through words. We are providing record investment in front line treatment services - £28.6m in 2011/12, 20% more than in 2007. We are also dramatically bringing waiting times down and are on course to achieve a maximum of three weeks by 2013.

"We are achieving our commitment to offer long term supported recovery to all who need it and we are fully supportive of facilities like Rainbow Housing that are committed to recovery and are making recovery possible.

"I also wish tenants of the new Elmbank House development well in their new surroundings."