UK: Offices in Glasgow city centre are set to be demolished and replaced with 248 serviced apartments, led by developer Artisan Real Estate.
Council planners have granted permission to Artisan Real Estate and Crosslane Residential Developments for a project at the junction of St Vincent Street and Pitt Street. The site is next to St Columba’s Gaelic Church.
A proposal had previously been approved for a four-star, 248-bed hotel in April 2020. However, Artisan changed its plans after an operator withdrew when Covid-19 delayed progress.
A cafe/bar and a gym are planned for the new development that will be open to the public. Other amenities include a co-working space, a cinema room and roof terraces.
Plans stated: “The hotel market has been impacted as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic and funding restrictions. An alternative use is sought to enable the consented building to come forward in the short to medium term at this prominent location in the city centre. The applicant has identified a gap in the local residential market and considers serviced living accommodation as an appropriate response.”
The building’s exterior will remain the same as previously outlined in the original hotel proposal. Flats will be aimed “mainly at millennials, fixed term contract workers, graduates/post-graduates and key workers”.
Operator Crosslane will provide an in-house management team when complete. The proposal continued: “Residential serviced living is a new type of fully furnished residential accommodation. For residents it provides a hassle-free format with all-inclusive rents, a focus on creating a vibrant work/life hub and a sense of community within a well-designed building. It also offers a wealth of shared facilities, amenities, activities and services to create a more fulfilling, connected and affordable lifestyle for young professionals.”
The planning application highlighted that residents are expected to stay between three months and 12 months. There will be 126 bike spaces but no car parking.
