Go-ahead for 36-floor student tower in Glasgow

Plans for a 36-floor student flat block on the site of a former tax office have been approved by Glasgow City Council.

The property, to be called the Ard, will become Glasgow's second tallest building at 114m (374ft) and see the demolition of Portcullis House at Charing Cross.

A second 10-floor building will also be built with commercial space and a new office for the charity Glasgow Social Enterprise Network (GSEN).

Developers Watkin Jones said the property will have 784 beds, addressing a "chronic undersupply" of student accommodation and freeing up homes more appropriate for families.

Plans submitted to the city council's planning committee said the Ard would feature games and screen rooms, a yoga and spin studio, and a gym alongside a social kitchen and art studio.

The development will see visual improvements to the street and a wider gap installed between the adjacent Scottish Power building.

Developers also intend to build a cafe at the Newton Street entrance alongside a social enterprise space.

The building will become Glasgow's second-tallest behind the science centre, which stands at 127m (416ft).

Future student tenants will have access to good public transport links with storage for 390 bicycles at basement level.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Stuart Patrick, said Glasgow's student population is increasing with the city's three largest institutions targeting continued, significant growth in their latest strategic plans.

He added: “Delivering high-quality student homes will address this increasing demand and will also serve to retain skilled young people in the city as well as regenerating the city centre, which is a key aspiration of the city council."

Portcullis House formerly housed HMRC offices and has been empty since 2020

Ongoing demolition works at Portcullis House will make way for the property but developers said a "large element" of the existing structural frame would be retained.

Portcullis House, originally developed in the 1970s, previously operated as an office with the most recent tenants being HMRC.

The building has remained vacant since 2020, having failed to attract a tenant.

Previous plans for a residential development on the site were put on hold in August 2021 due to a lack of guidance from the council.

Responding to the decision of the planning committee, a spokesperson for Watkin Jones Group said: “We are delighted that our planning application for The Ard (formerly Portcullis House) has been granted, subject to conditions.

“Regenerating a current brownfield site, the development will be designed to the highest environmental standards, boasting the latest low and zero carbon technologies.

“Redevelopment of the site will form a significant part of an overall renewal of the west end of the city centre, acting as a catalyst for change and enhancing the vitality of this part of the city."