August 4 2021

Reiach & Hall Architects have finalised plans on behalf of New Gorbals Housing Association and Urban Union to build 64 flats for sale and social rent on two adjoining plots at 99-111 Eglinton Street, Glasgow.

Rising on the former Coliseum Theatre the apartments form part of the western flank of the Laurieston Transformational Regeneration Area, a developing dense city centre neighbourhood, on approach from Tradeston.

Works will begin with the demolition of a fish and chip shop and clearance of trees, to be replaced by twin tenure blind brick blocks set amid a shared courtyard garden, with community facilities fronting the street edge to restore a lost 'hard edge'.

Conceived as a perimeter block with openings to Eglinton, Herbertson and Bedford Street's, creating prominent gables in the process. In a statement, the architects wrote:

"The opening up of the perimeter block allows more prominence to be given to the courtyard elevations. Portions of the courtyard elevations are connected via sightlines to the city beyond, and this has allowed more flexibility in planning flat layouts, eg in some instances, locating public rooms on elevations that face south and west."

A community room is positioned toward the principal city-facing Eglinton Street corner to replace existing facilities currently operating from portacabins, with an art installation and display space further activating the busy corridor.

6 Comments

#1 Posted by Peter on 4 Aug 2021 at 09:28 AM

Gosh, it's a new low for the area.

#2 Posted by David on 4 Aug 2021 at 10:27 AM

Somewhat disappointing given the excellent development of the area so far with far superior designs to this one in earlier phases.

#3 Posted by Roddy_ on 4 Aug 2021 at 17:00 PM

Anyone needing the tokenistic nature of pre-application consultations corroborated, need look no further than the Pre-App Consultation Report attached to this planning application. Both client and designers resistant to any concerns regarding the wider Laurieston ‘masterplan’, the activation of Eglinton Street or the proper and very glaring lack of commercial space at ground level.

#4 Posted by Gordon on 6 Aug 2021 at 08:34 AM

"A community room"?
What a tragic waste of money, space and opportunity. The wonderful R&H not quite engaged yet with this one.

#5 Posted by Strewth on 12 Aug 2021 at 09:14 AM

UR, are you sure Halliday Fraser Munro didn't design this?

#6 Posted by Damproof Membrane on 18 Aug 2021 at 10:53 AM

Really, really poor. Particularly disappointing from R&H.

To be honest why not just let Elder&Cannon design the whole area. Best at-scale residential architects in Glasgow and their existing work in the neighbourhood is the best by far.

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