PLANS to demolish Glasgow’s Buchanan Galleries shopping centre have been dropped by owners Landsec.
The demolition of Buchanan Galleries had first been proposed by the company in 2022, with it planned to be replaced by a net zero mixed-use urban district which would blend ‘world class’ shopping with places to work, live, and play.
However, Landsec said that retail’s ‘strong’ post-pandemic recovery and the way cities are changing has led it to reconsider the plans and instead look to rejuvenate what it said is Glasgow’s ‘prime retail destination’.
Nick Davis, Landsec head of retail development, said, “Given the way cities have changed, and retail’s strong post-pandemic recovery, we’re exploring a masterplan that can be delivered in incremental phases and are re-focusing the first phase of our vision in rejuvenating Glasgow’s prime retail destination.
“In conversations with brands, and through engagement with the public, we know that there is both consumer and commercial appetite for this to be delivered and delivered quickly. With this in mind, we will shortly be bringing forward the first phase of a renewed vision for the transformation of Buchanan Galleries.
“We recognise the need for investment at the top end of Buchanan Street and the advantage of retaining and investing in the existing building means we can deliver more quickly for Glasgow’s community, whilst being less disruptive and less carbon intensive than our previous proposal.
“We believe that over time we can create a new city centre district, anchored by the Galleries that responds to the way people want to live, shop and work. To facilitate this multi-phase masterplan approach, we have recently purchased 229-249 Buchanan Street adjacent to the Galleries – reaffirming our commitment to the city.”
