Having been around for over 155 years, Thomas Johnstone Ltd (TJL) has a history of reinvention. First established as a joiner in Glasgow’s east end, the company has grown from humble beginnings as a sole trader to an established Main Contractor with a turnover of more than £86m (2023 figures).

A Proud History

TJL became a shopfitter working with well-known brands such as Curry’s, Jenners, WHSmith, and the Co-op. Throughout the 1990s, TJL quickly grew a reputation for delivering excellence in retail store fit-outs.

In the mid-2000s, TJL carved a niche in the high-quality refurbishment and change of use of existing buildings market. As part of this, the Specialist Fit-out contractor has created some of Scotland’s most popular hotels and luxury serviced apartments, including the Virgin Hotel Edinburgh, Kimpton Blythswood Square, ibis Styles Glasgow Central and George Square, Kimpton Charlotte Square, Old Town Chambers, and the Edinburgh Grand, many of which operate in former office buildings.

A Promising Future

In 2024, TJL will again bring its reputation for ‘Delivering Excellence’ to the rental accommodation sector in Scotland’s cities and will complete DALIAN, a new boutique Build-to-Rent scheme in the heart of Glasgow.

‘Convert to Rent’ may be a more appropriate term for the development, as the project has transformed the existing ‘Dalian House’, previously the headquarters of NHS Glasgow at Charing Cross, into 92 beautifully appointed apartments.

Inside Dalian House

Named after one of Glasgow’s twin cities in North China, the 64,000 sq ft former office block was built in the early 1990’s and has been vacant since 2010. In partnership with developer Calmont Group, Maven Capital Partners saw the opportunity to redevelop the building into rental accommodation. DALIAN is now home to 92 self-contained apartments, bringing new life to this corner of the city. Staying in a mixture of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, residents will benefit from an in-building fitness suite, social lounge, co-working space, private dining area, and an external garden terrace and recreation spaces.

Modernising the Existing Structure

TJL’s site team carried out various structural elements before the internal fit-out could begin. These included removing a four-story staircase, altering the existing elevator bank to reduce it to a single elevator, and refurbishing rear oriel windows, all of which required careful planning and execution.

The refurbishment incorporates modern sustainability and safety features, including 20 electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the basement, where residents can access parking spaces and cycle storage. Given the building’s proximity to heavy traffic, the concrete floors have been treated with a protective product to prevent corrosion caused by pollution.

Building Safe Spaces

In line with modern standards, extensive fire safety measures were implemented throughout the building. One such measure was installing a VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) system, which provides state-of-the-art smoke detection by continuously sampling air for smoke particles. The floor also required additional insulation, with approximately 400mm of material installed to ensure optimal fire protection and energy efficiency. Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) work progressed concurrently across the lower floors, installing sprinklers, copper water pipes, and a wireless fire alarm system.

“TJL is proud to have converted this iconic building into a modern, luxury residence for rent, all while honouring its rich heritage and implementing the highest safety standards. This development symbolises our commitment to excellence and a new benchmark for urban living in Glasgow.

We hope the new residents of DALIAN will find not only a place to live but a home where they can enjoy the very best of city life.” – Kevin Pick, Regional Commercial Director – West.

TJL was delighted to bring this development to life on behalf of Maven Capital Partners and Calmont Group, working in partnership with Mosaic Architecture & Design, Bell & Swift, Thomas & Adamson, Butler Consulting Ltd and HD Property Consultants Ltd.

Completion images provided by building managers VervLife.