Plans hatched for 30-storey Glasgow centre skyscraper

A skyscraper as tall as 30 storeys could be built in the centre of Glasgow after proposals were outlined for hundreds of new flats.

P r o p e r t y d e v e l o p e r s a r e lo oking to construct a massive build-to -rent (BTR) and “co-living” development comprising more than 800 units.

It comes after developer and p r o p e r t y m a n a g e r Wa t k i n Jones Group completed the purchase of Portcullis House – a former HMRC building on India Street, in the city’s west end – from Map eley Investment Group during the summer.

The company is looking to demolish the existing building and construct the highrise, which if approved would become the tallest building in Glasgow city centre.

The proposals also include “generous amenity and ancillar y facilities”, activating the street level areas with potential retail, cafe and co-working space.

The developer has formally submitted a proposal of application notice to Cit y of Glasgow Council, informing it that it intends to submit a planning application for the development following a minimum 12-week consultation period.

Work could be completed in 2024, with the regeneration of the brownfield site forming a significant par t of an overall renewal of the west end of the city centre.

I a i n S m i t h , g r o u p p l a n - n i n g d i r e c t o r f r o m Wa t k i n Jones, said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing our exciting scheme for Portcullis House. The site is in a prime urban location with excellent access t o a men i t i e s a n d t r a n s p o r t links.

“B T R a n d c o - l i v i n g o f f e r high- qualit y rented accomm o d a t i o n a t c o m p e t i t i v e p r i c e s t o a w i d e - r a n g i n g demographic. There is huge demand in Glasgow for this model which offers long-term security of tenure, combined with the flexibility of renting.

“Should we receive planning permission our residents will n o t o n l y b e a b l e t o r e n t a n apartment but will also have a n a b u n d a n c e o f c o m m o n amenities at their disp osal, ideally suited for modern living.”

He added: “These proposals will greatly assist in the regeneration of this part of the city and we are consulting extensively to ensure that the public have an opportunity to input t h e i r v i e ws a n d s h a p e o u r ambitious proposals.”

T h e c o mp a ny h a s u n d e r - t a ke n m a j o r B T R s c h e m e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e U K , c o m - pleting its first purpose built scheme in Leeds, in 2016.

BTR i s a r e l a t ive l y r e c e n t m o d e l f o r n e w r e s i d e n t i a l b u i l d i ng s in the UK, where all the properties are built for rent, not for sale.

Residents are offered longterm security of tenure, with the flexibilit y of renting and have access to wider on-site amenities that extend beyond the traditional boundaries of an individual housing unit, Watkin Jones added.

T h e c o m p a ny s a i d i t wa s n o w u n d e r t a k i n g “e x t e n - sive consultation” with local representatives, communit y groups and politicians in order to shape its proposals for Portcullis House.

With Covid restrictions in p l a c e , t h e S c o t t i s h Gove r n - ment has susp ended public consultation events and it is intended that a digital consultation event will be held on 26 November, bet ween 3pm and 8pm, to give local people the oppor tunit y to ask questions and provide feedback.