May 28 2025

An ambitious £250m masterplan for Glasgow's Charing Cross district is poised to transition from the drawing board to reality with the appointment of Reigart Construction to demolish Elmbank Gardens.

The contract aligns with the submission of detailed plans for 620 student flats towering over the M8, marking the first stage of a broader masterplan by CxG Glasgow and Michael Laird Architects.

Extending to next door Tay House on Bath Street the broader scheme would include 450 apartments, 14,000sq/m of office space and a health centre.

Andrew Richardson, managing director, development (ESR Devco), said: “Momentum is building at Charing Cross. The submission of the detailed planning application and appointment of a demolition contractor marks a major step towards realising our vision for a new city gateway."

Demolition is expected to be completed by early 2026 with construction starting soon after. 

8 Comments

#1 Posted by Ben on 28 May 2025 at 14:02 PM

Looks terrific, and it is the first big step in really positive change at Charing Cross. Although the M8 must be concealed in order for this area to reach its full potential. A linear park from St Vincent Street to St Georges Cross could be easily achieved by stepping it up in places to maintain enough height for large lorries to continue using the motorway, and create a green oasis right in the heart of the city which is currently traffic dominated.

#2 Posted by End User #23123 on 28 May 2025 at 14:24 PM

Offshore, venture-capital, faceless, unsustainable, money-box towers from an unhuman design paradigm.

So funny and sad that we reached the level of begging for this stuff to be done to us in a once great city.

#3 Posted by town planner on 28 May 2025 at 14:43 PM

Doesn't look as good as the proposals in previous pics, more boxy, and with height reduced. I don't see that confirmed in the blurb, but assume sadly that yet again this might be the case.

Anyone heard anything about the Ard? Has gone pretty quiet.

#4 Posted by town planner on 28 May 2025 at 15:07 PM

#3 Actually I think the proposed taller section might be to the left in the pic, so hopefully will be retained in scheme.

Agree with #1 green cap would be fantastic here too.

#5 Posted by Georwell84 on 28 May 2025 at 18:34 PM

#1 Yes stepping up maybe to a viewing platform for views over to the Southside would be great.

#6 Posted by John Cowie on 28 May 2025 at 23:35 PM

Oh for goodness sake.
Can anyone explain why this so called architecture (it's not architecture it's arithmetic) is the same everywhere?

Why has it apparently been decided that so many new buildings all over the UK look like this?
Boxes.
Boxes with those extended pillars on top.

Why is this CRAP everywhere?

Why does this crap all look the same no matter where if it's 'designed' by different peop /firms?
Why are they all designing the exact same arithmetic?

'Designed' is an overstatement as this type of arithmetic is autocad copy and paste.

#7 Posted by Freshly on 29 May 2025 at 09:55 AM

A strong Carbuncle of the Year contender. As per #6 - this could be anywhere, had random amount of storys Excel exercise. A hotel, student housing, btr - everything just looks the same.

#8 Posted by Philip on 29 May 2025 at 10:07 AM

Poor mans Macreanor Lavington London/ Rotterdam circa 2006 finally copy and pasted in Glasgow 2025.
Lazy and utterly banal filler.

Post your comments