November 2 2022

Fusion Development Company has teamed up with Marks & Spencer to propose the mixed-use redevelopment of the retail outlet at 172 Sauchiehall Street.

Plugging the gap left behind by an exodus of retailers from the struggling street, the development would sweep aside the Art Deco block to meet the burgeoning demand for student housing.

Matt Brook Architects have prepared an emerging design concept for the urban site, combining student and potentially mainstream residential for 500 residents within a courtyard block.

Capped by a rooftop terrace and garden the project would retain a significant commercial presence via a ground floor retail unit, with residential accommodation stacked above. As part of the plans the former Wellington Arcade, demolished in 1930, would be reintroduced to facilitate public access to Renfrew Street, itself lined by commercial and amenity uses.

The 12-week consultation launches today at the CitizenM Hotel between 14:30 and 19:00.  

8 Comments

#1 Posted by EM0 on 2 Nov 2022 at 11:48 AM

By seeep aside, do we mean demolish???

#2 Posted by UR on 2 Nov 2022 at 12:08 PM

Yes. Demolition is expected in July 2023.

#3 Posted by EM0 on 2 Nov 2022 at 12:13 PM

Be so sad to see the Art Deco building go, the street has so little charm left as it is!!

#4 Posted by FHM on 3 Nov 2022 at 13:22 PM

There are a lot of parallels between this scheme and the M&S one at Oxford Street. Why are M&S so keen on stating the company has sustainable credentials and then demolishing existing buildings? People should have a look at the SAVE Britain's Heritage campaign which focuses on the above.

#5 Posted by The Ghost of Frank Lloyd Wright on 3 Nov 2022 at 15:05 PM

So bland and soul-less I might fall asleep before I finish this comm....

#6 Posted by Roddy_ on 4 Nov 2022 at 02:30 AM

The presentation boards laud the 'Enlightenment City' and the inheritance of the Victorian and Edwardian city. Buildings that are predicated on breaking the skyline confidently, elegantly and with purpose and that art, sculpture,craft and human scale are the cornerstones of place. What do we get? Flat roofs,repetitive shot-gunned windows and clunky forms and scale. I'm not even sure if the designers have ever looked at what the typology of a shopping arcade might entail (looks to be only one commercial unit). Is architecture the ultimate profession in gaslighting? Many a precedent study in many a design and access statement would tend to suggest - yes.
The designers need to be reminded that this is not a gap site on the edge of Preston it is on Glasgow's Second Street.
We probably ought to enjoy the character of the old M&S Deco facade while we still can. A shame that it hasn't even been listed at 'C' level.

#7 Posted by ONE on 4 Nov 2022 at 09:00 AM

Completely agree with Roddy_ well said.

#8 Posted by Gandalf the Grey on 4 Nov 2022 at 12:24 PM

I can't say that I love the old M&S building, so fair enough. More people in the city centre can't be a bad thing. But I do wish people would just say what they mean, instead of using euphemisms like 'sweep away' or 'reintroduce'. They are not going to 'reintroduce' the Wellington Arcade, I doubt if they even know what it looked like. They are going to form an arcade, the form of which we are not told. For all we know it will be an atmospheric experiential 'nod' to Clockwork Orange.

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