Future plans revealed for Paisley Grammar School site

Paisley Grammar School could be transformed into a mix of social and private housing, after Renfrewshire Council named developer NIXON as the preferred bidder for the site.

The B-listed central building on Glasgow Road, designed by renowned architect Thomas Graham Abercrombie and opened in 1898, will be retained and converted into apartments. New housing will also be built across the four-acre site, with Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association delivering the social homes.

Paisley Grammar School, founded in 1576, is due to relocate to a new purpose-built community campus off Renfrew Road, which is scheduled to open in August 2026.

A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) was submitted to Renfrewshire Council on Monday, with a public consultation to be held later this year.

NIXON, which has also delivered developments such as The Millhouse and Riverside Walk in Paisley, has pledged to preserve the historic building while adding new high-quality, affordable apartments.

Paisley-born Richard McFadzean, owner and Managing Director of NIXON, said:
“This is a landmark site in Paisley. We understand that the building adds significant architectural richness to the town, and we are proud to take on the challenge of preserving this building and complementing it with the addition of further high-quality affordable apartments within the site.

“We understand that the community will be eager to hear more about our plans at the public consultation. We look forward to bringing forward our designs, in partnership with Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association, to begin a new chapter for the Paisley Grammar site.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “We are pleased to have agreed NIXON as the preferred bidders for the Paisley Grammar School site, subject to planning approval being granted. The building has been a local landmark for more than 125 years, but the site cannot host the modern facilities – both indoor and outdoor – which the school and wider community will enjoy when the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus opens next year.

“It is important for the area the site remains in use and isn’t left empty, so we are pleased to have secured a preferred bidder who plans to retain the existing historic core of the building and give it a new lease of life for future generations, while bringing new investment and residents into the east end of the town.

“We would encourage the local community to take part in the public events planned by the developer during the pre-application period, and we will consider the full application once submitted.”

Headline Photo: Paisley Grammar School
Photo Credit: NIXON Limited