Plans for a mixed-use development on a former car dealership lot in Glasgow are set to be revised. The developer, Keltbray, wants to substitute one of the residential buildings for a PBSA development.
Permission was originally given by in February by Glasgow City Council for 394 rental apartments across 2 blocks. Amenities include a rooftop garden, residents’ lounges, gym, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, function rooms, greenhouses and growing areas.
Plans also include retail space, a public square, and a new east-west pedestrian and cycle-priority street. The retail space on Finnieston Street is set to be occupied by an M&S food outlet.
“Our development at Finnieston puts a quality residential-led mixed-use development onto this brownfield site.
“We are happy that Glasgow City Council has been so supportive of this scheme, it was great to hear the positive comments from the members.
“We’re incredibly privileged to own a site in Finnieston, and be part of what is happening in the community there to deliver sustainable urban regeneration to try and make the place even more special.”
Andrew Burnside, Development Manager, Keltbray Developments
Now Keltbray Developments is revisiting its proposal to transform the land which is bounded by Minerva Street, West Greenhill Place and Finnieston Street. The developer is attempting to make changes that would see one of the residential blocks become PBSA.
The revisions to architectural practice Feilden Clegg Bradley’s (FCBStudios) designs will be limited to functional requirements of the change in use including changes to window and balcony sizes and a reconfigured interior.
“The materiality and design concept of the proposal is unchanged and the revised proposal will maintain the high-quality approach to the provision of public open space.
“The replacement of one block of the approved residential scheme with purpose-built student accommodation meets an identified requirement for student accommodation in the area and reflects the reduced market demand for build-to-rent developments in Glasgow.
“The changes to the proposed scheme in terms of visual appearance and design approach are minimal.”
Project website statement
Set by the River Clyde, Finnieston is nestled between the city centre and west end. It has seen a rise in popularity in the recent decade, becoming the place to go for dining and entertainment.
It frequently tops polls of ‘hippest areas’ and was named the 3rd coolest neighbourhood in the UK by The Telegraph (Dec, 2022), which described the area as ‘go-to hipster hub’.
As well as this edgy energy, Finnieston is also home to two of the city’s top visitor attractions, located on either side of the River Clyde.
“The brownfield site is being transformed as a thriving and sustainable place to live and work. Influenced by the 20-minute neighbourhood agenda, we approached the design with ambitions of positive place making, connectivity and urban permeability.
“At the heart of the scheme is a green public park that welcomes in visitors and residents. Cycling and walking routes through this previously closed site connect to the existing green infrastructure, creating new links through from the historic street patterns in the north to the industrial and residential areas to the south.”
Jason Cornish, Partner, FCBStudios
