PLANNING consent has been granted for the first phase of the £250 million Charing Cross Gateway development in Glasgow.
The approved plans, by XG Glasgow Ltd, will see the delivery of purpose-built 620 Bed student accommodation on the Elmbank Gardens site, at the corner of the city’s Bath Street and Newton Street, beside Charing Cross train station.
Designed by Michael Laird Architects, the 25-storey building will establish a new architectural landmark at Charing Cross – alongside enhanced landscaping and public realm improvements that will strengthen connectivity and transform how people experience this key part of the city centre.
CXG Glasgow Ltd secured outline planning consent for the wider masterplan in late 2024. Demolition and site clearance works, being carried out by Reigart Contracts Ltd, are currently underway to remove two 1960s buildings that occupy the site and prepare the ground for the first phase of development. The completion of the demolition work is programmed for August this year.Work on site is expected to commence in 2027 with completion in 2030.
The wider masterplan will include Grade A office space, private homes and retail units alongside new public realm, helping to revitalise a strategically important part of Glasgow city centre. Phase two of the masterplan proposal is expected to be delivered in the early 2030s.
Andrew Richardson, MD of development at ESR DevCo, said, “Securing detailed planning consent marks a major milestone for Charing Cross Gateway and brings us a significant step closer to transforming this important gateway site.
“This development represents a major investment in Glasgow and will support construction jobs as work progresses, helping to drive activity and momentum within the city centre. More importantly, it presents an exciting opportunity to create a vibrant new destination that reconnects Charing Cross with the surrounding city centre, creating a strong sense of place and bringing new energy, life and opportunity to this part of Glasgow.”
