January 14 2022

Clearbell Capital has appointed Sheppard Robson Architects to develop proposals to vertically extend 150 St Vincent Street after acquiring the property from a fund managed by PineBridge Benson Elliot.

The proposed extension would double the floor space of the 1976 building to 152,000sq/ft while negating the carbon impact of full demolition and rebuild. Through this strategy Clearbell aim to create the city's first operationally carbon neutral office building as well as its first BREEAM Outstanding build.

Works will include an upgrade to the thermally poor existing envelope together with the reuse of materials in-situ wherever possible, including the current concrete structure. Terraces and roof gardens will also be introduced for the wellbeing of staff and to boost biodiversity.

The opportunity will also be taken to build out the full site footprint to maximise floorplates by extending to the rear with a further four setback upper floors resting on top.

Nick Berry, partner at Clearbell Capital said: “As we have seen since the end of lockdown, quality workspace in the right areas continues to attract tenants and to generate good rental income. Glasgow has long been a centre for business and is bouncing back from the impact of the pandemic.

"As well as improved office space that allows collaboration and connection, tenants are demanding strong ESG credentials too. With the renewed impetus of COP26, pressure on landlords is ramping up to deliver greener buildings than ever before."

An interactive consultation will be held on 18 January between 15:00 and 19:00 ahead of a planning application in the spring.

2 Comments

#1 Posted by Roddy_ on 14 Jan 2022 at 19:35 PM

A dreadful proposal that bloats out one of the better (possibly the best) early 70's office buildings in the city. But more than that - it obliterates the reading of one of the best roofscapes in the city ; that of the Hatrack- one of the great triumphs of the the Glasgow Style.

UR - Please post the massing proposal as seen from the lower end of St Vincent Street and you'll see what I mean.

I get the feeling that seeing the other consented schemes in and around the Central Conservation Area, developers and their architects are completely ignoring the scale and grain of proposals and we're losing that really valuable aspect.

The Conservation movement managed more or less to save the city centre. Are we to lose it now -incrementally - to insensitive forms?

#2 Posted by Finlay George McCallum on 16 Jan 2022 at 23:17 PM

I believe #1 makes a good point

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