November 4 2019

Drum Property Group has published the first detailed indications of their plans for a long-standing gap-site on Glasgow’s Merchant City following the latest round of public consultations.

Candleriggs Square is now helmed by Stallan-Brand Architects and differs from previous consents by pushing taller buildings back from the street corners to create a citadel-like agglomeration of homes, hotels and commercial space clustered around a central public square.

This is intended to allow a more pedestrian-scaled environment to the outer perimeter with buildings stepping up in height by way of a series of tiered roof terraces to a central core.

Graeme Bone, group managing director commented: “There has been a lot of interest so far in the plans, with much positivity about our vision to transform what has become a neglected part of the city centre. We are now showcasing a variety of approaches to inspire the transformation of the site into a vibrant mixed-use community, which is set to complete the regeneration of Glasgow’s Merchant City.

“Our intention is to improve on the existing planning consents by making the development more accessible, welcoming and exciting for people living, working and visiting the area. Our plans will bring together high-quality housing, hotels, local amenities and open spaces with new pedestrian links throughout the site.”

Among the planned uses are a 500-bed hotel alongside 350 build to rent homes augmented by a variety of street-level courtyards; including a new public space at the intersection of Candleriggs, Wilson Street & Bell Street.

7 Comments

#1 Posted by Nairn's Bairn on 4 Nov 2019 at 12:01 PM

Does each flat come with its own red Ford Ka?

#2 Posted by Jaded on 4 Nov 2019 at 12:03 PM

This is excellent. A big step up from previous iterations.

The density is great, as is the variability in the massings/materials etc.

Lets get this built and put the whole sorry saga behind us.

#3 Posted by David on 4 Nov 2019 at 13:56 PM

By far the best proposal yet for this site. Much better massing and materials, as Drum have a good track record for getting things built, and quickly too, I am hopeful this one will break ground!

#4 Posted by Gandalf the Pink on 4 Nov 2019 at 16:10 PM

I would love to see this iteration build on the site but understandably after so many false starts I have my doubts it will ever happen.

I would love for the developer to do a little more for the environment in the plans. Plant more fruit bearing and flowering trees, add nest boxes for bird life, add bee hives to roof tops. Every little helps but we can always press for more.

#5 Posted by nathan right on 4 Nov 2019 at 18:07 PM

The illustrations show a rich surrounding architecture is now to be spoilt by banal elevations and overwhelming mass. Another opportunity to complement Glasgow's rich architectural heritage lost. Ho hum...

#6 Posted by UR on 5 Nov 2019 at 08:10 AM

The sketches above have been updated to the latest designs. Should have more soon.

#7 Posted by David on 5 Nov 2019 at 08:56 AM

This is an enormous improvement on the previous Murphy scheme, which essentially ignored the make-up of the Merchant City character. This aggregated form and block approach will work well I think, however the one thing I would say is that it would be nice to see a bit more character and life to each of the blocks, something a bit more playful here and there. The MC is a diverse mix of richly characterful buildings, so something special here and there would really help to blend it.

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