AN empty office block in Glasgow city centre is undergoing a £7.5million makeover.

Blythswood House is being transformed into student accommo-dation for the Glasgow School of Art.

The conversion will create 218 study bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. There will also be common rooms and flats containing up to eight bedrooms.

The developer is Cityheart Ltd, of Chester, which has appointed County Down-based Graham Construction as the main contractor. Work began on site near Blythswood Square several months ago.

Graham contracts director John McHugh said: "This will be an interesting challenge as we will be retaining the building frame and shell.

"The location offers tremendous accessi-bility to the Art School, and we look forward to delivering accommodation which will offer a fantastic addition to the student facilities in Glasgow."

The study bedrooms will be arranged in clusters, with communal kitchens and living rooms.

The makeover will also result in every window being replaced as part of a programme of insulation improve- ments.

A Glasgow School of Art spokesman, said: "This develop-ment includes a range of facilities in the study-bedrooms and communal areas that set a bench- mark in student accommodation."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk