April 7 2025

Work has begun to deliver a giant 934-bed student housing complex at Central Quay in Glasgow following the purchase of the site by Unite Students.

The specialist accommodation provider is readying the development for the 2027/28 academic year and will include outdoor amenity space, café, yoga room, gym, study areas and a garden terrace.

Tom Brewerton, Unite Students’ group development director, said: “Central Quay will provide much-needed high-quality, affordable housing for students in Glasgow, helping to meet the rising demand. This in turn will free up homes for local families, easing shortages in the private sector.

“The site, north of the River Clyde, is located adjacent to one of Glasgow’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods. The accommodation boasts great facilities, both social and study, making it a real hub for students. It’s a great addition to our portfolio in this important university city.”

Built to designs by 3DReid and Graeme Nicholls Architects the £124.5m project is being built by Graham and aims to achieve a BREEAM Excellent certification. 

11 Comments

#1 Posted by Ben on 7 Apr 2025 at 11:46 AM

This development looks fantastic, really glad that it is underway in what is probably the fastest growing urban quarter in the country. If only student housing developments in other parts of Scotland were designed to this high standard, well done to all involved.

#2 Posted by Sven on 7 Apr 2025 at 12:05 PM

Rising demand? Tell that to struggling universities. The student accommodation bubble has burst. Given Scotland has more universities than comparable Denmark, 15 vs 8, and global demographics are hard baked to lower, I can’t see the demand for more student accommodation.

#3 Posted by Randall Sloan on 7 Apr 2025 at 13:59 PM

What a miserable existence for the students! University is supposed to foster a sense of community, integration and social interaction. Not sure how being 15 floors up in a single 3x5 cell will do anything to promote that.

#4 Posted by town planner on 7 Apr 2025 at 14:39 PM

I think this looks great, in particular the building on the right in the main photo.
The curved shapes on the ground level for the windows/entrances look elegant, ditto at the building top. The red brick, if not quite the sandstone of Glasgow/Edinburgh's heyday, nonetheless looks characterful.

I would not be unhappy if this could be a template for other future buildings in Glasgow in the right location, and not just for students!

#5 Posted by Excuse me while i weep... on 7 Apr 2025 at 15:04 PM

...and quietly flows the gentle river...

#6 Posted by James Hepburn on 7 Apr 2025 at 15:18 PM

I've been so concerned for those poor students. Nobody seems to be building enough accommodation for them.

#7 Posted by Chris on 7 Apr 2025 at 15:56 PM

#3 Those poor students! City wide views, communal areas & rooftop gardens must be such a burden.

#8 Posted by KB on 7 Apr 2025 at 18:19 PM

#2 Perhaps you should advise the universities and private developers (who are geared up for £millions to build this) of your inside knowledge.

#9 Posted by Sven on 7 Apr 2025 at 21:58 PM

@#8 perhaps you should read newspapers, every single university in Scotland is struggling with overseas student recruitment, and global demographics are hardly insider knowledge. The Times has an article today about Edinburgh going on strike as they over staffed.

#10 Posted by Mark on 8 Apr 2025 at 20:41 PM

The renders look very North American … Trump Plaza, anyone?

#11 Posted by Ayn Rand on 9 Apr 2025 at 13:48 PM

Can't get the image out of my head, from The Fountainhead, when a client, Ellsworth Toohey favours a classicist heap over Roark's vision of truth and modernity! Ah! Them were the days!

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