August 28 2024

The developer behind plans to replace an unlettable 1970s office building on Glasgow's Bath Street with newly built student housing has shared its emerging design aspirations for the site.

McLaren Property and Manson Architects are conducting a second round of consultations for 285 Bath Street, outlining how they propose to deliver 250 beds spread over studio and cluster configurations.

In a consultation statement, the developer wrote: "The building is 15 storeys in height which is consistent with the anticipated height increase from east to west on Bath Street. We have taken the historic datum lines which coincide with the height of the King's Theatre and responded to this with a change in brick colour between the second and third floor. The upper floors of the building is constructed with a light coloured brick however we are currently exploring brick options and colours.

"We have sought to introduce elegance through simplicity and quality detailing. The building is purposefully unfussy, giving it stature and presence on the street. Because this site is sandwiched between two existing buildings, which are subject to future redevelopment, we have not put windows on the gables. Instead, we have recessed the brick to appear like the double-order windows on the front facade. This also reserves the right of the neighbouring site owners to develop to the site boundary and maintain structure and solidity to the city block."

The no-car development will strive for a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating and include a ground-floor unit available for commercial or community use. A retained basement will be used to house student amenities.

Consultations will continue until September ahead of a formal planning application over the winter. 

7 Comments

#1 Posted by Spike on 28 Aug 2024 at 12:38 PM

Again student housing , does no other development activity happen in Glasgow?
How about building for general needs housing or at least housing for young people but not students!

#2 Posted by A Local Pleb on 28 Aug 2024 at 12:49 PM

Yet another Student Residential development, there must be some great big holes with GCC Development Plan!
I also question its sustainability credentials as a result of the existing buildings demolition, surely it could be repurposed as was done with other redundant office blocks such as 350 St Vincent Street (Dalian House) or 200 West Regent Street (Blythswood House).

#3 Posted by G! on 28 Aug 2024 at 16:03 PM

Simple reason is the Scottish Government rent control (we know developers have walked away) and the dire state of the city centre means that, unlike Manchester, developers are not prepared to invest in residential for sale and bring a new professional class to the city centre and boost it. Equally, the lack of engagement with the city centre by housing associations (not that they have money to invest now but borrowing is possible) is an issue providing shared ownership and mid-market rent.

Equally a housing strategy for the city centre, masterplan for Tradeston and Carlton is required to unlock sites and identify ways to stimulate investment - but a fully resourced Planning Department is required - why invest in Glasgow when it takes years to get consent when in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool planning is focused on making things happen and quickly. We have certain councillors to say positive things in private and put the boot in in public - why would you invest?

This is a Scottish home grown problem and nothing to do with GCC Development Plan - our Planning Department is trying the best they can with both hands tied behind their backs.

#4 Posted by Roddy_ on 28 Aug 2024 at 20:20 PM

I'm not sure that sketch helps their cause much - as did the sketches for their Colleglands proposal. The description given by the designers is almost in the domain of parody. 'Purposefully unfussy' sounds very much like trying to make a virtue out of what is left after value engineering and attempting to make an architectural play by emphasising the blank party walls really does seem like praising the Emperor's New Clothes.
https://www.urbanrealm.com/news/11019/Shoulder_roof_terraces_to_support_Collegelands_completion_.html

#5 Posted by Whispering Andy on 2 Sep 2024 at 11:58 AM

Whisper it........but number 3 is bang on the money. ScotGov and GCC are to blame for student being the only show in town for private investment.

All ye complainers who dream of 'housing for general needs and young people (not students)' need to extract their craniums from their derrieres. The projects just dont stack up other than student. Try and go to a shop and order a frappe-latte-chino when all you can afford is a kenco.

#6 Posted by Well Spotted on 2 Sep 2024 at 13:00 PM

#3 yet new build housing starts are down a third across the UK...the SNP government and council to blame for that too?

#7 Posted by Bob smith on 2 Sep 2024 at 21:18 PM

The Scottish Government have made Scotland and unattractive place to do business for investors.
You only have to look at Leeds and Manchester which are thriving.

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