Inside new hotel group's plans to open Arthouse with space for one of Glasgow's best restaurants

“The intention is to encourage a diversity of guest, with opportunities to access a luxury experience at a variety of price points.” The interior design is by award-winning design studio A-nrd, founded by Alessio Nardi and Lukas Persakovas. This will be their second hotel project in the UK and first city hotel, following a string of notable restaurant projects in London, including Kol, Canal and Fonda.

Plans for the building will preserve the historic features of the building while creating a new urban aesthetic: “The original fabric of the building will be both celebrated and contrasted, with exposed interiors and neutral tones offset by a curated mix of vintage and contemporary furniture.

“The look and feel will draw inspiration from the hotel’s name and the city’s artistic soul, embodying the eclectic style of an artist’s home - with pieces by local makers adding warmth, authenticity and personality.”

The five-storey building was the former Strathclyde Regional Council Education Department Offices, built as Glasgow School Board Offices in 1911 by H E Clifford, designed by his assistant Thomas Melville Lunan. It was first converted to hotel use in 1999. The address has had an illustrious history. In 1830, Sir Archibald Camp­bell sold the land to Sir James Camp­bell of Stra­cathro, Lord Prov­ost of Glas­gow from 1840 to 1843. Shortly after his pur­chase, Sir James erec­ted a grand town­house at 129 Bath Street.

Sir James Camp­bell’s son, also James, was elec­ted a mem­ber of the first School Board of Glas­gow in 1873. Another son, Henry Ban­nerman-­Camp­bell was the leader of the Lib­eral Party and prime min­is­ter from 1906-08.

New restaurant location

Glasgow restaurant Celentano’s will relocate to Arthouse, finding a new home in the hotel’s restaurant, bar and lounge spaces: “Dean and Anna Parker have built a strong reputation for their Italian-influenced cooking, and were awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand within six months of opening. The new incarnation of Celentano’s will preserve its warm, relaxed atmosphere, but with a new look and refreshed menu, seating over 60 covers in the restaurant - almost twice as many as their previous home.

“Menus will retain Dean’s ingredient-led approach, with a focus on fermentation, nose-to-tail cookery and produce cooked over embers. Signature dishes like their seasonally changing vegetable agnolotti will remain, sitting alongside fresh additions created for the new space.

The Arthouse Glasgow bar will be available for both residents and non-residents, with a drinks menu also led by Celentano’s - including their own in-house liqueurs, such as vermouth for their signature Celentano’s Negroni. A separate communal lounge will cater to locals, visitors and residents, acting as an all-day hub with a separate menu and programme of artists and musicians bringing it to life in the evenings.

Bedrooms will start from £149 per night for classic rooms, with larger suites from £229, inclusive of breakfast. Oberland have added 17 bedrooms to the previous hotel layout to provide a broader range of room type. This includes a special category of bolthole ‘Pocket’ rooms available from £99 per night - “still beautifully appointed, but cosier.

“The idea of the Pocket rooms is that people can access the hotel at a lower price point, whether visiting the city to explore or work.”

Oberland co-founder William Riordan, commented: “We are incredibly proud to have secured a site in Glasgow, a city that we’ve hoped to be a part of since launching Oberland back in 2022. Glasgow’s energy is unmistakable, from its world-class art and music to its vibrant restaurant culture, and we are excited for Arthouse Glasgow to become part of that story. Our vision is to create a place that welcomes both guests and locals; somewhere people feel drawn to, included in, and genuinely inspired by.”

Oberland co-founder Andrew Dean, commented: “With each project, we want to breathe new life into remarkable heritage buildings, creating spaces where storied history and modern comfort sit side-by-side. Arthouse Glasgow is a striking building full of architectural grandeur and design detail, set in a buzzing modern city. Our job as custodians is merely to highlight and tell the story of each property and its city - Arthouse is an ideal start to our collection.”

Oberland is a new UK hotel group, “specialising in elevating heritage buildings into destinations for the discerning modern traveller. Properties honour their individual histories and locations while providing contemporary, design-led accommodation.

“Anchored by community orientated public spaces and offering a variety of room rates for greater accessibility, they are striving with each property to create a sense of place that fosters true neighbourhood engagement and an authentic travel experience. Each hotel will look outward to its city location, bringing in local talent and contributors, from food and drink to experiences and events.

Arthouse Glasgow will be their first hotel opening, followed by a Manchester opening later in the year, and further openings in the UK and Europe. The hotels will join their recently opened retail and lifestyle destination, Shires Yard in Bath, a reimagined collection of Georgian buildings, now home to a mix of local independent and British brands.

Arthouse, 129 Bath St, Glasgow G2 2SZ