Feature
Crane count shows new investment in Glasgow
Richard Muir, Deputy Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber, reviews the investment and development in the city
I
was born in the shadow of the Fairfield crane,” sang Archie Fisher in the opening lines of the Fairfield Apprentice, a folk song written by former Glasgow MP Norman Buchan, with music from Bobby Campbell, a well- known journalist. Glasgow was once synonymous with
the cranes which lined the river Clyde for both shipbuilding and dockland import and export. Today a city’s crane count is globally recognised as a way of gauging the current investment success of cities. It might not stand up to close
statistical analysis, but as a visual snapshot of how well things are going it takes a bit of beating. Richard Muir, Deputy Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber, was intrigued to scan the city’s horizon and witness the activity during the summer. There were at least 20 skyline cranes visible across the whole city. “I took the opportunity on one of the
warm and sunny days to wander around the city and to look up at what was rising out of the ground. It is both heartening and encouraging for Glasgow and it tells a story about how modern Glasgow is evolving,” he said. The cranes are most obvious in the International Financial Services District
(IFSD) on the south bank of the Clyde at Tradeston where the Barclay’s campus development at Buchanan Wharf is now moving steadily towards completion. It is designed to house up to 2,500 jobs as part of Drum Property Group’s wider mixed-use project - that alone shows how successful Glasgow has been in building one of the top 50 global financial centres.
Drum Property Group has been busy
elsewhere too. Along with Stamford Property Investments, the company has also submitted a proposal of application notice (PAN) to Glasgow City Council for the redevelopment of Candleriggs Square, in the Merchant City. Bound by Hutcheson Street,
Trongate, Candleriggs and Wilson Street, Candleriggs Square is another important development project in the city centre. The site has been derelict for over a decade and there is existing planning consent for around 850,000 sq ft of residential, student, hotel and commercial space. Graeme Bone, Group Managing
We are confident that this ambitious development will help Glasgow fulfil its full potential by attracting global occupiers"
24
www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com
Director of Drum Property Group, said: “There has been a lot of interest so far in the plans, with much positivity about our vision to transform what has become a neglected part of the city centre. We are now showcasing a variety of approaches to inspire the transformation of the site into a vibrant mixed- use community, which is set to complete the
regeneration of Glasgow’s Merchant City. “Our intention is to improve on the
existing planning consents by making the development more accessible, welcoming and exciting for people living, working and visiting the area. Our plans will bring together high-quality housing, hotels, local amenities and open spaces with new pedestrian links throughout the site.”
Also on the way to providing much- needed Grade A office space is BAM’s Atlantic Square on the Clyde waterfront, FORE Partnership’s Cadworks, and HFD Group’s 177 Bothwell Street. There is also Osborne+Co’s planned £95 million investment on Argyle Street. Designed by Glasgow-based architects Cooper Cromar, the scheme will provide approximately 270,000 sq ft net of Grade A office space over ground plus 13 upper storeys, with an end value of circa £140 million. On completion, it will provide large open-plan office space of up to 23,000 sq ft net, which will offer first-class office accommodation for potential multinational companies investing in Scotland. Will Hean, Development Director,
Scotland for Osborne+Co, said: “We would like to thank Glasgow City Council and their planning team for their constructive input, insights and valuable guidance throughout this process. Working collaboratively at all levels with the Council over the past 18 months towards this final consent has involved sound judgement and bold vision combined. We are delighted to now be in a position to progress this impressive office scheme onwards towards the construction phase.” Acquired by Osborne+Co and JV partners Scotsbridge Holdings in 2018, the development will see this site connected back to the city through infrastructural improvements, including support of the Argyle Street ‘Avenues’
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
