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Central Quay plans extend Clydeside densification trend

Central Quay plans extend Clydeside densification trend

September 29 2023

Glasgow's post-industrial riverside at Anderston is set for further dramatic change with the submission of plans for a giant mixed-use development at Central Quay.

Over 400 homes have been allocated for the 4.43 acre brownfield site by Summix Capital, which foresees establishing a high-density, mixed use enclave adjacent to Finnieston.

As well as providing homes for private sale the scheme will include student housing, retail and leisure outlets to designs by 3DReid and Graeme Nicholls Architects, together with associated landscaping by Re-form. This will establish a new neighbourhood from scratch with residents benefitting from roof gardens, play areas and a public plaza.

Euan McLaren, director at 3DReid, said: “A careful consideration of the physical site, wider context and history of this place have informed an urban strategy that looks to successfully weave a new neighbourhood into the fabric of the city."

Extending Glasgow's famous grid-iron street pattern to the west the design is informed by the weaving and stitching of textiles and the china white and basalt black colours associated with pottery - two trades traditionally associated with the area.

Graeme Nicholls added: “Encompassing 172 new homes, It’s the largest project we have worked on since establishing the firm in 2016. It is also in a part of Glasgow with a personal connection- my wife grew up in the area, and so it is a project on which we are passionate about delivering a design that celebrates and showcases the heritage and strong community spirit there.”

The inner city site, formerly a Harland and Wolffe diesel engine works, has lain derelict for over 50 years.

A mix of architects brings variety to the streetscape

A network of active travel routes thread between buildings

A public plaza is included in the plans

Chequered facades will establish a sense of identity

The development dwarfs existing office space at Two Central Quay

Three development plots have been helmed by 3Dreid and one by Graeme Nicholls

32 Comments

#1 Posted by Bob Smith on 29 Sep 2023 at 10:30 AM

looks great .... get it built

#2 Posted by spike on 29 Sep 2023 at 10:54 AM

Agree, let's deliver this asap

#3 Posted by Peter on 29 Sep 2023 at 11:34 AM

Do. It. Now.

#4 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 29 Sep 2023 at 12:06 PM

Good to see the height at the northern edge of the development -- offers balance to the whole area.

Chequerboard facade -- trying too hard some would say.
Has the look of a dearly departed whisky bottling plant.

However it offers hope.

#5 Posted by Georwell 84 on 29 Sep 2023 at 15:00 PM

Very good. Wish this kind of scale was applied to the Barras area with the current markets upgraded at the base of tall buildings.

#6 Posted by Showbiz Sam on 29 Sep 2023 at 16:01 PM

Chequered facades will establish a sense of 1920's plagiarism. Just sayin.

https://www.lutyenstrust.org.uk/about-lutyens/visiting-lutyens/london-exteriors-where-lutyens-work-can-be-seen/

#7 Posted by town planner on 29 Sep 2023 at 16:22 PM

#5 Great idea, would love to see that at the Barras.

Overall looks a good scheme for that site, glad to see some higher density and developers thinking about the Glasgow grid too... not sure about the black and white design tho

#8 Posted by Occasional commenter on 29 Sep 2023 at 17:22 PM

The black and white design could be effective, it could be quite awful depending on the materials/finish etc.

Overall though great to see - would love to see Glasgow Quay (where the cinema is) on the other side of the river developed and re-densified in a similar vein. Ideally linked with another pedestrian bridge alongside or directly beneath Kingston bridge.

#9 Posted by Camera Man on 29 Sep 2023 at 20:50 PM

As a local person I’m glad to see this development proposed.
I love the black and white building as it looks very striking and will be a good landmark for the area.

#10 Posted by Northstar on 30 Sep 2023 at 10:09 AM

Seems Glasgow is getting three cluster of talks
forming, this one that will probs Ly be joined by buildings on the other side of the Kingston bridge, around Charing cross and around queen street station, some questionable schemes, but if you are looking for a city to become a true metropolis then Glasgow seems to be forging ahead now

#11 Posted by Roddy on 30 Sep 2023 at 20:36 PM

Decent bit of density
The first phase looks high quality class
Let’s get the rest delivered

#12 Posted by E=mc2 on 30 Sep 2023 at 21:17 PM

Checkerboard is honking. Will age terribly. Totally naff.

#13 Posted by HMR on 1 Oct 2023 at 10:28 AM

Great density and massing.

agree with the negative comments on the facade, it will age badly.

#14 Posted by Design Custodian on 1 Oct 2023 at 12:32 PM

It is great to see a development of this scale being brought forward.

I think the black and white block looks stunning. A breath of fresh air in a sea of bland and by far the most interesting residential proposal for Glasgow that I have seen in a long time.

#15 Posted by John R on 2 Oct 2023 at 08:35 AM

Naff ? Really? I like it

#16 Posted by Riddy on 2 Oct 2023 at 11:04 AM

Overall it’s not bad
Get rid of the checkerboard bit which is honking

#17 Posted by Forest on 2 Oct 2023 at 11:11 AM

Wow this looks super.
Hats off to the architects for bringing something fresh on this one.

#18 Posted by devilish advocat on 2 Oct 2023 at 11:24 AM

I'd echo those in favour of the black/white facade. Something a bit different from the ubiquitous vertical language used elsewhere, but the litmus test will be in the choice of materials and detailing. Done right could look great, done on the cheap will look awful.

#19 Posted by Bill S on 2 Oct 2023 at 13:26 PM

Looks great, and it is refreshing to see a high density project that aligns with a Glasgow "grid" city block. Key will be to see if the materials, forms and scale hold out, or if the paper architecture is value engineered to a generic, stale and bland development.

#20 Posted by Ninja Turtle on 2 Oct 2023 at 14:49 PM

Looks great. It's refreshing to see something a little different on here. Could be really special if built in line with the designs.

#21 Posted by Riddy on 2 Oct 2023 at 15:50 PM

Overall it’s not bad
Get rid of the checkerboard bit which is honking

#22 Posted by Roddy_ on 2 Oct 2023 at 16:00 PM

Are these public streets and plazas or privately-owned, publicly accessible streets and plazas?

#23 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 3 Oct 2023 at 11:26 AM

Missing link -- literally in this case ...
Access to the south bank of the Clyde.
All the attractions -- so close yet so difficult to get to.

The area is crying out for a pedestrian bridge.

#24 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 3 Oct 2023 at 11:47 AM

Public access / Public landscaping -- interesting if a bit hobby horsey.

What is there at the moment and how will this change things?

Warroch Street seems to go somewhere.
While Whitehall Street seems to be a stunted cul de sac with poor quality graffiti and loads of litter.

I fear that great will be the enemy of the good for far too many of the design / lifestyle ultras that love to bump their gums.

Stodge is good enough at the moment -- survival is where it is at in today's political / economic landscape.

#25 Posted by Mac_Dad on 3 Oct 2023 at 13:43 PM

It reminds me of Kowloon Walled City. I take it this'll be mostly build to rent?

#26 Posted by Jimbob Tanktop on 3 Oct 2023 at 15:12 PM

I like the checkerboard, it reminds me of the First World War Dazzle Ships if the developers are looking to shoehorn in a tenuous Clydebuilt reference.

#27 Posted by Whispering Andy on 3 Oct 2023 at 15:46 PM

Whisper it....... but looks exciting! I'm pretty sure our good old friends at GCC will find a way to prevent it happening though!

Look forward to seeing the outcome when it finally works it way through the GCC planning sausage machine in 2042.

#28 Posted by Hash on 3 Oct 2023 at 16:24 PM

Generally looks good. Just hope that the promised commercial units etc are delivered to ensure it becomes a proper neighbourhood and not just a dead dormitory. This is particularly important as this there is few existing amenities etc immediately around, and the area is significantly cut off from the city centre and Finnieston by the M8 and Clyde side expressway.

#29 Posted by Hash on 3 Oct 2023 at 16:28 PM

The Clydeside Expressway should be turned into a multi modal boulevard. Then, this area can be re-integrated into Finnieston and the West End. Currently much of the Clydeside in this area is made up of underused, dead zones. Removing the expressway and improving public transport along this corridor could allow for new greenspces and development - reconnecting the city to the river and activating this sorely underused asset

#30 Posted by Peter on 3 Oct 2023 at 16:32 PM

@27 - Worry not, Andy. It'll be covered by Dandara's dross next to M8 anyway.

#31 Posted by Northstar on 27 Oct 2023 at 06:47 AM