UK: Glasgow City Council has granted planning permission for a 20-storey aparthotel on the banks of the River Clyde.
The project from developers CitiHome Ltd will feature 204 aparthotel rooms, a roof-top restaurant with glass-floored balcony, a ground-floor restaurant, café and gym.
The project had received an objection from Historic Environment Scotland, who felt there was a “detrimental impact on the setting of the A-listed St Enoch Square Underground Station” nearby.
Because of this objection, city council planning officials had to notify the Scottish Government. But, on November 7 the Scottish Government said it would not be intervening in the application, allowing city council officials to go ahead with granting planning consent.
A report from the council’s planning officials said: “It is considered that the existing building is of little townscape value due to it having been altered to incorporate the single-storey section on Clyde Street and that at ground floor the appearance of the frontage contributes little to the streetscape. A key priority of the City Development Plan is to maintain the attractiveness of the City Centre as an investment location. The provision of a new serviced apartment development will address the existing shortfall in such accommodation and support wider aims such as tourism and conferencing within the City Centre. In addition, it will support local businesses and create jobs and opportunities for Glasgow’s residents.
“The creation of new short stay serviced accommodation destinations both within and on the edge of the city centre will only help to maintain and strengthen the role of Glasgow City Centre as the key economic driver in the west of Scotland and support the ongoing regeneration of the St Enoch’s area and the river Clyde,” it added.
A statement from Citihome said: “We are promoting a public realm that is designed with boldness, simplicity of style and elegance, whilst providing inclusive, healthy and safe places of citizens to enjoy. This design proposal encourages public access to the top level of the building by providing double height roof-top restaurant/bar will spectacular views. The restaurant/bar proposals incorporate a cantilevered sky-deck will provide an exciting and unique experience. The positioning of the sky-deck has been located on Clyde Street to take advantage of the sunny southern aspects and unique views along the river. We see this feature as a very contemporary celebration where the building meets the sky. This building with its unique lantern will stand out as a new Glasgow landmark.”
