October 16 2018

Sanctuary Scotland have completed the latest phases of a residential-led masterplan for Glasgow’s Anderston district, replacing 1960s flats with modern homes and reinstating lost streetscape.

Delivered by CCG and Collective Architecture the project has seen 206 mixed-tenure homes built on the city centre site, finished in a combination of sandstone and brick to reinvigorate sightlines along St Vincent Street.

CCG Chairman and CEO, Alastair Wylie, commented: “Manufactured under factory-controlled conditions, the ‘iQ’ system has a much-improved level of air tightness when compared with traditional methods. This, aligned with use of energy efficient appliances and solar PV, will encourage energy savings and minimise fuel costs for residents.

“The project also had to be delivered at pace due to instances of rehoming some existing residents and as components such as windows, doors and insulation are pre-installed, a faster speed of construction could be achieved.  The entire development was erected, wind and watertight (excluding closes) in just 36 weeks.”

Spread across five separate blocks the development includes amenity and green spaces as well as all new cycle and pedestrian routes. Selected homes also benefit from floor to ceiling windows and balconies to make the most of city views.

20 Comments

#1 Posted by Sir Ano on 16 Oct 2018 at 10:22 AM

That's a big head forehead.

#2 Posted by Sue Pearman on 16 Oct 2018 at 10:23 AM

These are a similar monopitch form to the Laurieston development, albeit a little higher. However, the plan must be deeper than those at Laurieston or the roof steeper?...with the result being a very high forehead! - they look excruciatingly top heavy. Would it not have made sense to inhabit that space?

#3 Posted by Robin Bs Discount Store on 16 Oct 2018 at 10:25 AM

I've gotta say, great job by all involved. Looks really well and totally transforms the area.

Must make a huge impact on the residents' lives and bring a newly formed pride within the community.

#4 Posted by Pablo on 16 Oct 2018 at 11:56 AM

Great job!

#5 Posted by cadmonkey on 16 Oct 2018 at 12:15 PM

I'm not a foreheadist.
I like it.

#6 Posted by Dulnain on 16 Oct 2018 at 12:17 PM

36 weeks to wind and watertight, for a comparison with an on site build it would be interesting to know the manufacturing lead in time required to allow the short on site period.

#7 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 16 Oct 2018 at 13:05 PM

Shopping trolley balconies -- big fail.
Hopefully they will last longer than the previous buildings.

#8 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 16 Oct 2018 at 13:07 PM

Hopefully the Mk2 version will manage to make use of the attic space -- very inefficient.

#9 Posted by Charlie_ on 16 Oct 2018 at 13:24 PM

Despite a few gripes with it, the anderston regeneration is a huge success in my book, well done to sanctuary and everyone involved.

#10 Posted by Stevie Steve on 16 Oct 2018 at 13:25 PM

The forehead does look silly. Would love to see a section, just to work out whats happening here...

#11 Posted by Oh my Glasgow on 16 Oct 2018 at 14:46 PM

Not a single tree in vicinity? Check. Barcode windows? Check. Rickety balconies to keep your old washing machine? Check. Ground level flats wind no chance to open window or lift the curtains? Check. So called 1sqm gardens to drop your ciggies and litter into? Check. Noise and fumes from busy street? Check. Ambulance and other services siren concerto 24/7 becuase of important crossroad vicinity? Check. Tarmac pavement to decor with chewing gums? Check.

Now just waiting for trampolines in the backyard and sh*t up and take my money.

Why on earth this city never learns. Same rubbish over and over again... Is it weather? Local aesthetics? Cheapskate clients? Lack of skills? Foreheadly dreadful...

#12 Posted by Neil C on 17 Oct 2018 at 09:00 AM

A sympathetic streetscape and a vast improvement on the hideous slab blocks they replaced. Wonder if the people further east who voted to retain their own slabs are looking west with envy? Bad luck, guys - you had the chance and you blew it.

#13 Posted by WeirDe$ign on 17 Oct 2018 at 11:13 AM

When will architects and developers realise that fake sandstone cladding ages terribly and does not look at all like our old stock with 600mm thick walls.

#14 Posted by boaby wan on 17 Oct 2018 at 11:23 AM

@ WeirDe$ign - that will be around the same time planners stop their fascination with everything being "in keeping" - fake sandstone is an easy tickbox for planners unfortunately, try looking at materials that aren't brick or stuck on stone in glasgow and you'll meet huge resistance, it's no surprise that the easy route is taken every time

#15 Posted by Fierygingerbeer on 18 Oct 2018 at 18:27 PM

Judgemental to suggest everyone in social housing is going to park crap in the balconies and dump stuff in the common areas. Judge it in six months and no mention of the wonderful reinstalled Hippo’s,

#16 Posted by QMD on 19 Oct 2018 at 09:58 AM

I think it is a good scheme in overall.

One down side is the ground floor facing the ever-busy St Vincent Street. Why can't they have some wee shops to enhance the streetscape, similar to the opposite tenement block? Does it spells trouble in management aspect?

#17 Posted by mr human on 19 Oct 2018 at 10:03 AM

I really like this, I like the new route cutting from Argyle Street to the cycle bridge over the motorway, I like the look of the flats. Well done.

#18 Posted by D on 19 Oct 2018 at 10:04 AM

Surprised by the negative and factually incorrect criticism above from, Oh My Glasgow, FBOT, Weir De$ign etc.

1. it is real stone on the St Vincent St facade - from Derbyshire i think. and its very well detailed.
2. Plenty of greenery on the old Argyle st alignment, and the landscaping to the rear Houldsworth St. will be something quite special once the vegetation matures.
3. Some outright ludicrous snobbyness about social housing - nb. this development actually a mix of tenure.

#19 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 19 Oct 2018 at 10:54 AM

No snobbishness about social housing just a case that the design vibe on show in too many projects is stylistic self indulgence -- fishing for plaudits and awards from their peers rather than resident satisfaction across the generations.

Regarding this project -- I would go as far as to say it is "no bad".

Balconies are poor though -- Parisian style would have been better. To my untutored eye it looks as if a shopping trolley has been stuck on the side of the building.

#20 Posted by Charlie_ on 19 Oct 2018 at 12:50 PM

Well said, D. I'm surprised by the negativity on here- maybe the photo isn't flattering? In person this scheme seems to work extremely well.

Post your comments