O2 ABC Glasgow

O2 ABC Glasgow
The O2 ABC from Sauchiehall Street, with the Glasgow School of Art to the rear.
Map
Former namesDiorama, Panorama, Hubner's Ice-Skating Palace, Hippodrome, Hengler's Circus, Waldorf Palais, Regal Cinema, ABC
Address286-326 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Coordinates55°51′57″N 4°15′51″W / 55.86581°N 4.26405°W / 55.86581; -4.26405
OwnerAcademy Music Group
TypeNightclub, music venue
Genre(s)Rock, Comedy, Dance, House, Indie
CapacityABC1: 1,300
ABC2: 350[1]
Construction
Built1875
Opened2005
Renovated2002–2005, 1887–1889, 1927–1928
Expanded1967
Closed2018
Website
o2abcglasgow.co.uk

The O2 ABC was a nightclub and music venue on Sauchiehall Street, in the centre of Glasgow. The building was constructed in 1875, renovated many times in its lifetime and also largely rebuilt in the 1920s. The building was used for numerous functions before being finally converted to its final purpose between 2002 and 2005, before finally closing in June 2018 after extensive fire damage. In 2009, the Academy Music Group took a majority stake in the venue, rebranding it the O2 ABC. The venue was formerly protected as a category C(S) listed building.[2] In March 2009; the Academy Music Group became the major stockholder of the O2 ABC.

On 15 June 2018, the building was severely damaged by a fire outbreak causing the main roof of the venue to collapse.[3] The fire had started in the Mackintosh Building of the nearby Glasgow School of Art which had recently been undergoing construction work due to a fire that occurred on 23 May 2014.[3]

On 7 August 2024, Glasgow council served the building with a notice which stipulates that all unstable sections of the building must be demolished by 9 December 2024.[4]

  1. ^ "Academy Music Group Company - Academy Music Group". www.academy-music-group.co.uk.
  2. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "304-332 (even nos) Sauchiehall Street, former ABC Regal Cinema, The O2 (Category C Listed Building) (LB51547)". Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Glasgow School of Art fire: Bands cancel gigs at O2 ABC after 'horrific' blaze". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  4. ^ Scott, Katy (7 August 2024). "Fire-damaged O2 ABC served demolition notice". BBC.