The JR Group has officially started work on a landmark redevelopment project for Milnbank Housing Association, marking the company’s first partnership with the Glasgow-based social housing provider.
The project, located on the site of the former Haghill Primary School in Glasgow’s East End, will deliver 48 homes while preserving and celebrating the history of the century-old community landmark.
The development will include the full renovation of the original Janitor’s House, the construction of four new townhouses, and a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats spread across three newly built apartment blocks.
Originally built in 1904, Haghill Primary served local families until its closure in 2002. Now, the school’s legacy will live on through an ambitious design that incorporates a significant portion of the original building into the new development.
A striking feature of the redevelopment will be the reconstruction of the original school’s central façade, which will stand as the architectural centrepiece of the development.
Many of the school’s other original architectural features, carefully salvaged during demolition, will also be reinstated as part of the development. These include the ornately carved entrance arches, the original gate pillars that will mark new entrances, the carved stone “Boys” and “Girls” playground signs, and large sections of the boundary walls and railings. Together, these preserved elements will ensure the project remains a lasting legacy to the site’s rich history while providing modern, energy-efficient homes for the community.
Gary McGregor, Managing Director for The JR Group, said: “This is an incredibly exciting project for us as our first project in partnership with Milnbank Housing Association, and one that blends significant historical restoration with modern construction on a large scale.
“We are proud to be delivering high-quality homes that honour the heritage of this landmark building while creating a sustainable future for the community.”
The redevelopment represents a new chapter for the Haghill site, combining over a century of heritage with forward-looking housing solutions. The project will play a vital role in addressing housing needs in Glasgow’s East End.
Allan Scott, Chairman of Milnbank Housing Association, said: “We are delighted to see this development finally begin on the former Haghill Primary School site. These homes will help address significant housing supply issues in the local area and will help meet a wide range of housing needs.”
Work is underway and construction is expected to be completed in 2027.
