August 12 2008

A major step toward preparation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games will take place this Friday when councillors agree to buy the last remaining large tract of land on the athletes village site, owned by Springfield Properties.

A further parcel of land at the corner of Springfield Road and London Road will be sold to the developer for £3 million as part of the deal. This will allow construction of a £60 million, 200 bed hotel alongside two new office blocks adjacent to the proposed National Indoor Sports Arena, both designed by Ian Simpson architects.  These will house the new headquarters for Sport Scotland and a media centre for journalists covering the championships.

Springfield properties Managing Director, Mr Charles Price, said: "This is a big thing for the East End because people in the area never thought they would see the sort of schemes we are going to produce.”

"We have to make all three buildings iconic showstoppers because they will be at the entrance to the Games Village.”

"I do not do ordinary and I want to do something wonderful for an area that has been a long time going downhill, but will come uphill very quickly."

Meanwhile the major hotel operator which will run the Argyle International is expected to be revealed within weeks.  Both Jumeirah and Mandarin Oriental are rumoured to be in the running.

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