A statement released by the highly regarded Scottish practice, founded by the late Gareth Hoskins in 1998, confirmed that Gareth Hoskins Architects was in the process of appointing a liquidator.
The company had been trading under the rebranded Hoskins Architects name since 2015, and was a subsidiary of the Hoskins Architects Group. The larger group has not been affected by the collapse of its UK arm, and its Berlin-based subsidiary, Hoskins Planungs GmbH, will continue to work on its portfolio of projects in German-speaking countries.
According to Gareth Hoskins Architects’ last filed accounts, for the year ending 30 September 2023, the company employed 34 staff.
The statement shows the company made a loss after taxation of £58,900 during the period, having made a £213,000 loss the year before (2022).
Turnover had dipped from £2.5 million to £2.4 millon over the same period.
The liquidation comes eight years after its founder Gareth Hoskins died of an heart attack aged just 48, and two years after a restructuring exercise which saw the company, then 48-strong, move to an employee ownership trust.
Among the schemes on the practice’s books was a huge skyscraper planned for a plot between Washington Street and Anderston Quay by Glasgow’s Kingston Bridge.
The statement on the company’s website reads: ‘[The] directors of its UK trading subsidiary Gareth Hoskins Architects Ltd have been forced to take the decision to cease trading, and are in the process of appointing a liquidator.
‘This situation has come about as a result of project delays combined with the illiquidity of a major client and the significant outstanding six-figure debt owed to Gareth Hoskins Architects Ltd by that party.’
‘We would like to thank all employees, clients, partners and collaborators of the Glasgow office for their many years of loyalty and trust. We wish you all every success for the future.’
The practice was known for several high-profile projects, including the 2011 National Museum of Scotland redevelopment, which won the RIAS Doolan Prize for the best building in Scotland.
Ten years later the studio again picked up the presitigous prize for its decade-long overhaul of Aberdeen Art Gallery.
Last year saw the opening of Hoskins’ long-awaited transformation of the Scottish Galleries at the National in Edinburgh. The practice was appointed to the job in 2014 following a high-profile competition, to redevelop the Neoclassical National Gallery housing the Scottish Collection on The Mound in Edinburgh.
Speaking about the Glasgow studio’s demise, Scottish architect Alan Dunlop said: ‘This is very sad news, particularly for such a distinguished practice that produced such great work.
‘It underlines, however, that these are exceptionally hard times for the profession, not just in Scotland but throughout the UK.’
The practice was contacted for comment.
Holy shit! Hoskins was an interesting, and I thought lasting voice in Scottish architecture. This is very sad for Glasgow, for Scotland and for British architecture too…@RIASmembership @ArchitectsJrnal https://t.co/Y6VNLTNTij
— Rory Olcayto (@RoryOlcayto) July 3, 2024