October 24 2023

Residents have begun moving into the latest homes to complete at St Andrew's Drive, as part of an ongoing masterplan for the historic Pollokshields district of Glasgow.

Southside Housing Association with jmarchitects and CCG have delivered a series of apartment blocks set amidst landscaped grounds in a conscious echo of the sandstone villas which characterise the area.

Comprising 120 apartments the phase 2/3 programme, due to be fully handed over soon, includes a mix of accommodation from 1 bed flats through to four-bed main door maisonettes. A direct replacement for unloved 1960s deck access buildings the homes emphasise generous landscaping to make the most of available light and views.

Outlining the goals behind the project the architects wrote: "The completed development presents a contemporary example of urban living with a simple palette of brick tones that brings continuity and harmony across the masterplan. Precast lintels and stringer courses provide accents of architectural detail that respect the existing built context.

"Set within a mature landscape setting that provides shared private and public garden spaces, children’s natural play spaces, rain gardens, wildflower zones and extensive new tree planting designed to enhance the green environment, biodiversity, and the well-being of the new residents and the surrounding neighbourhood. Homes are further enhanced by private terraces, recessed balconies, and large windows with juliette balconies..."

Set amidst a network of improved pedestrian paths the development meets the requirements of Housing for Varying Needs, The Glasgow Standard, Secured by Design (Gold Standard) and Glasgow City Council’s ‘Gold Hybrid’ standard for sustainability. 

9 Comments

#1 Posted by Roddy_ on 24 Oct 2023 at 13:47 PM

Fails the very basic tests of:
1. Can you create streets with your buildings
2. Can you delineate public from private
3. Can you create defensible spaces

The same issues will become apparent when Calton Village completes ; a scheme which follows the same paradigm of open island blocks. But also a scheme without mature trees to soften the impact of the austere architecture.

#2 Posted by William Wodehouse on 24 Oct 2023 at 15:55 PM

What an eyesore of lego blocks the kids could design and build better.A network of paths where is the privacy in that reading through the description ie wild flower zones rain Gardens biodiversity tree planting all estate agents speak for covering up a carbuncle eyesore won't take long

#3 Posted by William Wodehouse on 24 Oct 2023 at 16:06 PM

It replace flats which were fine when built and were allowed to turn into a ghetto by gdc now we have brand new sparkling flats which will go the same way maybe last 2 years before they have to be refurbished or pulled down due to gdc couldn't care less attitude on buildings Particularly ones with architecturally interests

#4 Posted by Bridgetta Mclaren on 24 Oct 2023 at 16:22 PM

They knocked down social housing ,and built mid market and Co ownership flats in their place . No social housing for local tenants to move into anymore. It's discrimination.

#5 Posted by Siobhan McFadden on 24 Oct 2023 at 23:02 PM

Boxy, uninspiring, flat-lined hutches. No curves, softness or artistry. Just a big fat profit margin and an opportunity missed. Improvement on the Victoria Hospital site which doesn't appear to have any daylight between vast blocks of chunky and blocks of bricks with tiny strips for windows. There are a few saplings and patches of lawn here. But really, come on, people deserve better to live in and to look at. Boring, boring, boring.

#6 Posted by Steve.E Wunder on 26 Oct 2023 at 18:24 PM

Glad to see my designs finally realised, if you pardon the unintended pun.

#7 Posted by Detail-Seeker on 26 Oct 2023 at 19:05 PM

File under, fine.

#8 Posted by Southsider on 30 Oct 2023 at 09:40 AM

Absolute nonsense as per usual in the UR comment section. This is fantastic for Pollokshields, something commenters may realise if they ever opened their blinds or came out from behind their laptops.

#9 Posted by Gordon McGregor on 31 Oct 2023 at 13:49 PM

I agree with Southsider. This looks good and is a real improvement on what was there and I can see plenty of mature trees.

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