September 12 2023

Glasgow City Council has awarded full planning consent to Haus Collective for the erection of an apart-hotel at 19 Cambridge Street despite objections, largely from residents of Fleming House and Garnethill Multicultural Centre.

135 written objections were received in all, centred on the scale of the 18 storey tower and its impact on listed buildings and a lack of car parking - but these were dismissed in turn by planners who warmed to the 'elegant and slender' proposal rising from a setback base aligned with adjacent properties.

Dismissing criticisms the committee wrote: "Naturally, there is a hesitancy over the development of tall buildings within a heritage setting, however, there are circumstances when they can be successfully integrated and provide a positive contribution to the built environment, particularly in areas of high public transport and pedestrian accessibility.

"In this instance, the applicant has undergone a thorough and competent process to demonstrate that the proposed building provides a bold, modern and refined architectural response to a problematic site."

HAUS co-founder Murray Henderson said: "Our commitment to excellence and contemporary design is evident in this aparthotel, which has been recognised by planners for its 'bold, modern and refined architectural response' in a previously overlooked area."

Approval is conditional on taking all possible steps to salvage materials for re-use during demolition and securing written agreement for the use of specific materials, among other matters.

8 Comments

#1 Posted by Whispering Andy on 12 Sep 2023 at 13:17 PM

Whisper it.......but that looks excellent. Bravo to the architect.

#2 Posted by James Hepburn on 12 Sep 2023 at 13:25 PM

What an eyesore. I wonder what inducements were offered for this anonymous monstrosity/

#3 Posted by John Russell on 13 Sep 2023 at 06:42 AM

It’s ok building all those hotels and student accommodation but people need stuff to do to keep them in the city centre cinemas, theatres, bars restaurants and night clubs

#4 Posted by Robin B's Discount on 13 Sep 2023 at 10:39 AM

I look forward to visiting the John Russell Mixed Use Cinema, Theatre, Bar, Restaurant and Night Club now that you have identified a gap in the market.

James - not sure if you have looked at the rendered images, as this design is far from an eyesore. A very interesting design.

#5 Posted by Chris on 13 Sep 2023 at 10:47 AM

#3 The city centre has all of these things?

#6 Posted by Roddy_ on 13 Sep 2023 at 13:12 PM

https://glasgow.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/791672.

At 34:42 or thereby there is a discussion in the planning applications committee about the set back 'terrace' where the City Design manager talks about :

'...the best possible scenario is not to create terraces that are totally inactive' and

'...in the past ten years there has been an effort to ensure when these set backs are occuring, they are gonna be active - they are gonna be a theatre of life, injecting passive supervision on the street and creating forms that are more enticing, more fascinating'

According to the planning drawings the set back terrace is NOT activated- ie no access to the canted glass terrace at levels 6 and 7. The only 'active' terrace is the one around the back which I think hardly counts for 'theatre of life' or passive supervision.

Perhaps I am mistaken and the designers can qualify?

#7 Posted by Chris Gordon on 13 Sep 2023 at 14:55 PM

#3 there is 3 cinemas in the city centre and 1 a 10 minute walk away at the Springfield quay

#8 Posted by modernish on 14 Sep 2023 at 09:41 AM

First impression is it's a bold move to pick up the Livi Tower and dump it down further west...

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