GLASGOW’S Met Tower is to be redeveloped into co-living accommodation after being acquired by Vita Group.
The move will see Vita Group introduce its award-winning Union co-living concept to Scotland for the first time, with the redevelopment set to breathe new life into the former college building which has stood vacant for over a decade.
The Union model enables individuals, couples, and small groups to select the apartment size that best suits their needs, while providing access to shared amenities designed to foster ‘vibrant, connected communities’.
Vita’s approach is set to draw on the success of Union Manchester, which opened earlier this year with more than 1,600 co-living beds and shared spaces, including co-working areas, a residents’ bar, wellness facilities, and social lounges. Both Manchester buildings are already entirely let.
The developer added that the Met Tower scheme would support a new community of City Centre professionals, directly helping to attract and retain Glasgow’s growing population and generate new economic activity. Further to this, it explained its ambitions align with Glasgow City Council’s city centre strategy 2024–30, which aims to double the city centre residential population by 2035, repurpose underused buildings, and develop vibrant mixed-use neighbourhoods.
Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said, “This is fantastic news for the future of a listed Glasgow landmark – and for the ongoing transformation of our city centre. And I’m delighted with this vote of confidence in a city centre where more and more people are choosing to live and invest.
“Vita’s plans will bring what is an emerging accommodation concept to Glasgow, one that’s been successful elsewhere and which can meet the needs of many younger residents. When it first opened in the early 1960s, the Met Tower was a symbol of a new and modern Glasgow. I look forward to it once again becoming a potent symbol of our changing city centre.”
Vita Group is currently working on detailed plans and said it intends to share them ‘as soon as possible’. Concepts under consideration include revitalising the Met Tower, creating high-quality communal spaces, and improving connections between existing and new structures, as well as the surrounding streets.
Max Bielby, chief operating officer of Vita Group, said, “Glasgow is a city with exceptional energy, creativity, and talent, and the Met Tower is an iconic part of its skyline. We see a real opportunity to explore how our Union concept could bring much-needed accommodation to the heart of the city, supporting its employment base, culture, and social scene.
“We have a long history of delivering projects that work for Scotland, and we’re committed to working in partnership with Glasgow to develop plans that respond to its priorities and breathe new life into a building that has historically been an engine of opportunity for young people.”
The acquisition is part of Vita Group’s long-term commitment to Scotland, where it has already completed three communities providing over 1,000 beds for students and young professionals, with three more schemes underway that will add another 1,232 beds.
Stuart Patrick, chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, added, “We’re pleased to see Vita Group recognise the opportunity that Glasgow’s growing economy presents, particularly through its continued investment in key sites across the city, including the ABC building on Sauchiehall Street and India Street.
“The acquisition of the Met Tower, given its prime location, scale, and prominence, is another welcome vote of confidence in Glasgow’s future. As the city’s innovation economy continues to expand, supported by the city region’s innovation districts, developments like this have the potential to play a significant role in driving forward the Glasgow City Innovation District and the wider city centre economy.”
