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UK: Downing has submitted a planning application for a 1,135 room scheme at 40 Anderston Quay, on the River Clyde in Glasgow.
The project will feature purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and coliving units over three blocks, plus a 3,700 square foot commercial unit.
It will be a redevelopment of the former HQ of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail newspaper. The brownfield regeneration site is planned to include three blocks with a total of 1,135 bedrooms, alongside a 3,700 sq. ft commercial unit.
Two of the blocks will accommodate PBSA units, whilst the third will be coliving units. All three blocks will have their own management suites, ancillary and amenity features, landscaping and extensive public realm.
The first of the two PBSA blocks – the scheme’s landmark tower – comprises 551 bedrooms across 29 storeys above ground level and includes an outdoor rooftop terrace. The second PBSA block will house 282 bedrooms within a 10-storey building above ground floor level and will also include accessible rooftop terraces. The connection of this building to the public realm walkways will create an active streetscape.
The third block is a 13-storey building above ground level, and includes 302 coliving rooms, with communal lifestyle and supporting amenity spaces on every floor, and a ground floor commercial retail space. Occupiers will also have access to rooftop terrace amenity spaces.
The PBSA blocks propose a mixture of cluster flats, studios, and accessible bedrooms, whilst the co-living block will all be studios and accessible bedrooms. All three blocks will have extensive amenity facilities, including cycle storage, gyms, games rooms, study spaces, laundries and 24/7 site management, support and security.
The site forms part of Glasgow City Council’s 2024-2030 City Centre Strategy, which sets out to create a vibrant, well-connected place to live and work, with thriving and sustainable green spaces.
The site has been selected for its proximity to nine Glasgow educational institutions including the University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde, and Glasgow International College. It is also a 10-minute walk from Anderston station, and lies in close proximity to Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Green and Glasgow city centre.
Ian Harrison, projects director at Downing, said: “Submission of plans for 40 Anderston Quay comes at an exciting time of growth at Downing. The scheme not only serves to further Downing’s presence in Glasgow, but also as our new landmark Manchester coliving development Square Gardens achieves 98 per cent occupancy upon completion, clearly demonstrating the high demand for this type of accommodation amongst students and young professionals. With over 35 years of expertise creating high-quality living environments for students and local communities in vibrant university cities, we aim to enhance Anderston’s vibrant city centre location and university connections, support Glasgow City Centre’s 2030 vision, and help retain the UK’s and the world’s best students and young professionals.”
The development will combine traditional building materials with a facade designed to reduce energy demand for heating and cooling. Heat pumps and Photovoltaic (PV) panels will support the project’s aim to achieve BREEAM Excellent. Rooftop terraces and ground level landscaping have been designed to promote biodiversity, featuring native plant species and areas dedicated to wildflower planting.
Downing has also committed to delivering a comprehensive package of public realm improvements alongside the mixed-use development. This includes the creation of a public plaza, a pedestrian walkway to the east of the site, and enhanced landscaping to better connect the city centre with the riverfront. Public realm works also serve to promote active, accessible engagement and inclusive social connections within the community.
Highlights:
• Downing has submitted a planning application for a 1,135 room scheme at 40 Anderston Quay, on the River Clyde in Glasgow
• The project will feature purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and coliving units over three blocks, plus a 3,700 square foot commercial unit
• The site will be a redevelopment of the former HQ of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail newspaper
• The site forms part of Glasgow City Council’s 2024-2030 City Centre Strategy, which sets out to create a vibrant, well-connected place to live and work, with thriving and sustainable green spaces
