Operator lined up for tweaked Glasgow city centre hotel
September 11 2019
NYX Hotels are looking to extend their UK footprint with the selection of a city-centre site at Glasgow’s West Nile Street for their second venture, hot on the heels of confirmation that a site on Edinburgh’s Jeffrey Street would play host to a 132-bed NYX branded hotel.
Revised plans brought forward by George Capital and 3DReid Architects for the 14-storey hotel on the corner of West Nile Street and Bath Street make provision for a rooftop restaurant, street-level bar and a slight reduction in overall room numbers.
Replacing a low-rise unlisted building the amended proposals have been brought forward to meet the needs of NYX and include a redesigned rooftop plant area to minimise encroachment on wider views by setting it back behind louvred screens.
In a planning statement, the architects wrote: “Given the nature of the overall enhancement of the site, retaining active ground-floor use, ensuring the ongoing success of the SEIL and facilitating tourism in Glasgow, the proposal is entirely in line with national, strategic and local planning policy.
“In relation to the design, the proposal has been designed within the context of the surrounding conservation area. This results in something which is sympathetic to the aesthetics of the surrounding architecture is considerate of the conservation area and also increases the attractiveness of the site and its surroundings.”
NYX owner Fattal Hotels also own the Jurys Inn brand.
|
13 Comments
This will be a good addition and another building helping to create a burgeoning skyline.
Although TBH I'm not a big fan of the new glass cuboids popping up across town. I think in this case it's actually more the basic proportions that seem a bit clunky to me. The upper cuboid is far too tall. It's looks like a second building has just been chucked on top, it doesn't look part of the same building. Two upper floors would be better; which I think would still make 11 floors.
Also, I don't think making a building tall, in itself improves the skyline. I don't think the Cineworld or 'People Make Glasgow' building have enhanced it.
The height of the Cineworld building should not be taken as directly-comparable precedent – yes it’s high, but it also occupies the whole end of a block so is not directly adjoining historic facades.
Glasgow city centre has always had architectural interest at upper levels – one should always look up to enjoy the architecture – but when it’s lost in the clouds like this then we’re pushing the height, and the economic benefit argument, a little far.
What's there right now is an embarrassment quite frankly - especially so close to Buchanan Street. A 2 storey bunker comprising of a chippy and a dodgy pub that is practically dead every night of the week. Bizarre how people appear to be pining over it as soon as this proposal has come to light.
Another issue is that if the height were to be reduced to 6 floors, the developer would likely not be interested as they wouldn't attract a tenant due to being unable to fit as many rooms in on the site in order for a decent profit to be made.
Can't wait to see what the (over)reaction is if there's ever a 50 storey tower proposed in Glasgow.
Also, you mention limiting it to 6 floors. Again, nobody has mentioned 6 floors other than you. I mentioned 11 floors, nobody else has stated a preference.
One last thing; you seem to be arguing that an 11 floor building, or even a 6 floor building is not economically viable as they'd loose their tenant and presumably wouldn't be able to find another one. This makes no sense, Glasgow is full of smaller buildings, many of them built in recent years. Even the new office blocks at the end of West George Street, Waterloo Street and the Broomielaw are only around 10 - 11 floors. In fact a new hotel is being planned for Sauchiehall Street (the old Dunnes Store) - 7 floors. I hope #6 is correct and this is part of the negotiation process.
As for the pining, I wasn't referencing any of the comments on here but rather the hundreds that have been lodged with the council.
You may think it's a nondescript boozer but there are not many places can offer you the chance to sing Blanket On The Ground on a scratchy karaoke machine to a disinterested room of 9 at 11 pm on a Tuesday.
It is also interesting to see in the background the proposed BHS site development...whatever happended to Stallan Brand's proposals for that?
Post your comments
Back to September 2019
Like us on Facebook
Become a fan and share
I'd like to thank the architect for reminding me this is a conservation area; I'd actually forgotten.
The first request from the planning dept should be: Loose the top 4 floors and we can start talking.