A vacant office block in Glasgow city centre could soon be set for a new lease of life by being transformed into a student living space.
TREC Capital Glasgow Limited, part of the Martley Capital Group, is inviting local residents to have their say on proposals for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) at 51 West Campbell Street.
The scheme aims to free up homes in the private rented sector and support a ‘more balanced housing mix’ across the city. The proposals involve demolishing the existing building to make way for a bespoke development designed for students. Amenities would include study rooms, breakout areas, social spaces, and communal roof terraces.
A second public drop-in session will take place on Tuesday 7 October, from 3pm to 7pm, at the offices of Savills in Cadworks, 41 West Campbell Street, Glasgow. These consultations are designed to ensure the community has the chance to view the plans, ask questions, and share feedback before a planning application is submitted.
Andrew White, development manager at Martley Capital Group, said, “I’m excited to be involved in the redevelopment of this prime city centre site. The existing building is structurally compromised and unsuitable for conversion, so redevelopment is the only viable option. We’re looking forward to delivering a state-of-the-art student accommodation building with a strong, interactive frontage at the corner of Waterloo Street and West Campbell Street.”
Neil Haining, director at Mosaic Architecture and Design, added, “The design responds sensitively to the site’s context and surrounding townscape, creating a new urban block with appropriate scale and high-quality materials. Residents will benefit from outstanding facilities including a spacious common room, study areas, a large games room, a state-of-the-art gym, and an on-site cinema. The main entrance, located at the corner of Waterloo Street and West Campbell Street, leads into the ground-floor amenity space and upper-level roof terraces designed for everyday use.”
Alastair Wood, head of planning at Savills, commented, “Once complete, the development will boost city centre activity and support the council’s ambition to double the city centre population by 2035. As Glasgow’s city centre evolves into a more liveable, mixed-use environment, student accommodation plays a vital role in shaping its future.”
A planning application is expected to be submitted by the end of the year.
