October 23 2024

The urbanisation of Glasgow's riverfront is set to continue with a recommendation to approve plans to build 709 build-to-rent apartments at Lancefield Quay.

A busy day for the city's planning committee saw the project receive a green light, clearing a path for delivery of the two-phase build by Moda and Haus Architects.

Addressing issues related to the height of the 22-storey block the committee wrote: "In respect of the Kingston Bridge, the proposal is west of existing and consented towers that are of a similar and in some cases taller scale than what is proposed in this scheme. The spatial relationship of these and the bridge means that they serve to frame the bridge, and River, but do not interfere with it.

"The taller building fronting onto Lancefield Quay will benefit from being oriented to have its narrower southern elevation to the south meaning that its mass will not be overly dominant and importantly there are clear breaks in skyline around it from a range of angles."

The scheme employs a mix of brick cladding to primary elevations with matching metal cladding proposed for secondary facades, including the towers.

A target occupation date for phase one (including the main tower) has been set for the end of 2027 when it will take its place alongside new and emerging neighbours at Central Quay and City Wharf.  

6 Comments

#1 Posted by James Hepburn on 23 Oct 2024 at 12:43 PM

Sad that such a mundane development garners any praise at all. The City's planning department seems to have all the ambition of a lamppost. It certainly sets the bar very low.

#2 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 23 Oct 2024 at 13:53 PM

Filler -- interesting filler in some aspects.

Seems a bit low at the western end -- doesn't really engage with the taller existing building.

No matter a big improvement on a car hire depot.
Now for some social capital -- shops / pubs / food provision.

#3 Posted by Roddy_ on 23 Oct 2024 at 14:53 PM

For evidence of how this area is developing, go and have a look at the streetscape that has been delivered in Warroch St. It is desperately disappointing and this appears to follow the same paradigm; lack of active fronts (glazed and occupied doesn't count ), single point of institutional access, doorways that are, in fact, fire escape doors (not in everyday use) and a general coarseness to the materials and detailing.

Picture 3 above actually paints a pretty honest picture of the proposed sterility.

#4 Posted by Chris on 25 Oct 2024 at 10:32 AM

I think the criticism about the lack of frontage has merit, but I can't help but look back 20 years ago when this whole area was consigned to Pacific Quay office park dross. The new developments are flawed but still a drastic improvement on before.

#5 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 25 Oct 2024 at 12:41 PM

Active fronts -- aye right.

This is high density residential moving into a low quality / low activity light industrial area dealing mainly with vehicle storage.

High density is good as it brings much needed new residential units to the city and energises an area that goes silent after 6pm.

It also supports previous attempts to build a residential community in the area so to decry the development because it does not have enough active frontage is just so much one club golfer / hobby horse gumbumping.

If there is a growing need then later developments will amend their plans to make money out of that need.

In the meantime that demand might spill over to the SEC hotels and they can modify their offer -- less Lady Petrol / prosecco for concert goers and more Snakebites for the young team.

#6 Posted by alibi on 26 Oct 2024 at 10:54 AM

Anywhere architecture.

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