Watkin Jones, the UK’s leading developer and manager of residential for rent, has announced that Glasgow City Council has approved its plans for The Àrd, a 784-bed PBSA led, mixed-use development that will see the regeneration of Portcullis House, a brownfield site at Charing Cross. The Group has extensive experience of working in Glasgow, completing nine managed student accommodation developments since 2011, approaching 4,000 student homes.
Set to be the tallest residential building in Scotland, at 36 storeys, providing views of the surrounding cityscape, construction will involve partial retention of the old HMRC building on India Street. Upon completion, the scheme will create ensuite rooms and studios, helping to meet the increasing rental housing demands of Glasgow’s universities.
Iain Smith, Planning Director at Watkin Jones, commented:
“Building on our strong record of delivery in Glasgow, I am pleased to announce that we have secured planning permission for The Àrd in Glasgow. Amidst the chronic undersupply of student housing in Glasgow, this development marks a significant step forward in addressing the demand for additional student accommodation, and also represents our commitment to creating sustainable homes in key regeneration areas. We look forward to working further with the Glasgow City Council on future projects.
The Àrd will not only revitalise the current brownfield site at Charing Cross, bringing much-needed redevelopment to Glasgow, but will also enhance the public realm and support the thriving student community. We are excited to welcome the Glasgow Social Enterprise Network to The Àrd as well, and to support them in their vital collaborative work with students and entrepreneurs.”