January 6 2025

Vita Ventures has moved on-site today to deliver the first student housing project of the New Year.

Wasting no time following planning approval, awarded before the holidays, the applicant is pressing ahead with the delivery of 591 studio rooms at 20 India Street.

Ranging in size from 18 to 29sq/m the majority of these apartments are single aspect due to their arrangement around a central hall, with dual aspect accommodation limited to the north and south gables.

20 homes for mid-market are also included in the plans, to be managed by West of Scotland Housing Association, in a separate block fronting Elmbank Crescent. A 'linear ribbon' of landscaping is also proposed to the west of the site. Artificial grass is proposed for private roof terraces, considered acceptable due to a net biodiversity gain.

Finished in profiled and flat GRC cladding a facade overrun will create a 'crown' feature of accessible terraces.

Future adaptability has been built in by architects Sheppard Robson to accommodate potential alternative residential uses should market demand for student accommodation shift. 

5 Comments

#1 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 6 Jan 2025 at 11:00 AM

Interesting filler that may grow into something bigger -- as a working / recognisable district -- when other developments make progress.

However the artificial grass comment delivers the whole article towards absurdity at a frightening pace -- there has to be something missing regarding the statement.

#2 Posted by Lovely on 6 Jan 2025 at 19:23 PM

Artificial grass, well known for it's biodiversity.

At least that statement lifts the design a little bit out of the mid town, mid west, anodyne as hell, sim city type category slightly towards the dystopian, clown-show zeitgeist that seems to be becoming most prevalent now.

At least this area of town will be so bad it won't be boring.

#3 Posted by Roddy_ on 6 Jan 2025 at 19:43 PM

Glasgow going through a really low point in architecture - who'd have thought it would have lasted as long as it has. Nothing against PBSR but this is banal, lowest common denominator stuff mirroring the quality at Anderston Quay. Sorry MVRDV/ ASL - they're just not building 'em like you thought in your DRF.

We'll look back on this in 20 years time in the same way we now look at the scandal and embarrassment of Glasgow's PPP school program.

That pathetic block on Elmbank Crescent (that doesn't even turn the corner properly) next to the glorious Edwardian Baroque of the Scottish Opera building. Very sad indeed.

#4 Posted by Sven on 6 Jan 2025 at 21:44 PM

Did they base the design off of Sim City 2000? In God mode you could dump buildings anywhere. Seems this what they did. Overseas student market is dead. It made the principal of Dundee resign and Glasgow’s ambitious extension on the Western Infirmary site unaffordable. Let’s see what the market it for student flats. The area is undesirable and has been a mix of low income people for many years. The Elmbank Hoyle proposal might make it more attractive but that’s using nice old buildings, not 1970s local authority designs.

#5 Posted by Ossian on 11 Jan 2025 at 07:18 AM

Vita Caca.

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