La Casa, 22 Park Circus, Glasgow

This spectacular mansion house constructed of dressed stone under a slate roof was designed by Charles Wilson and James Boucher in the 1870s and extends to circa 12,000 sq ft over four floors.

Internally the house retains a wealth of extraordinary period detail beginning with the Ionic columns on the ground floor which create a magnificent entrance and frame the broad marble staircase that rises up to the main reception rooms on the first floor. Intricate forged metalwork can be seen throughout; this was commissioned by the original owner, Walter MacFarlane, the founder of Saracen Foundry, and other period treasures include the elaborate plasterwork, an Art Nouveau billiards room, glass-domed anteroom, parquet wood flooring, wall friezes and very fine wood carvings.

The building was formerly the Italian consulate (having been an Italian social club in the early 1930s), hence its name (originally it was known as Casa d’Italia) and it subsequently served as Glasgow’s register office, hosting countless marriage ceremonies and weddings within its grand interior. Restored and developed from the 1990s onwards, more recent refurbishment has seen the installation of two beautiful kitchens and contemporary yet sympathetically designed bathrooms. La Casa now lends itself to being a single luxurious private residence with self-contained staff quarters or, with the relevant consents, converted into a small number of high end apartments, with a modern lift system already in place. It could equally revert back to its embassy heritage or as an events venue.

Park Circus is the epicentre of the Park District, Glasgow’s most beautiful and historic neighbourhood. Master-planned in the 1850s in response to demand for quality homes from successful merchants and professionals, Charles Wilson (one of the most important Glasgow architects of the Victorian era) created the sweeping crescents and curved façades of Park Circus to symbolise the crowning glory of what was then known as Woodlands Hill and the pioneering district of the West. Twenty-nine townhouses surround one and a half acres of immaculately kept gardens which were created then, and are maintained now, for the exclusive enjoyment of the residents.

Over time many of these houses were taken for offices but now the residential revolution is returning, and this now creates a rare opportunity to acquire a precious piece of architectural history.

The Park area and the West End together make a vibrant hub of activity which attracts young professionals and families alike. Nearby Byres Road and Finnieston offer an excellent selection of specialist shopping, bars and restaurants. Recreational facilities and space can be found at Kelvingrove Park, Kelvin Hall and the Botanic Gardens.

A range of schooling can be found in the area at St Aloysius’ College, Glasgow Academy, Kelvinside Academy and The High School of Glasgow with further education at Glasgow and Strathclyde universities.

Kelvinbridge underground station provides excellent commuting links to the city centre and beyond. The motorway network and city centre are easily accessible via nearby Woodlands Road and Charing Cross.

Water - Mains
Electricity - Mains
Gas - Mains
Heating - Gas fired boiler
Drainage - Mains

Listed building - Grade A
Factor - Taylor & Martin
Located within the ’Park’ conservation Area