January 28 2019

Spectrum Properties have begun marketing homes within the former Shakespeare Street School in Maryhill, Glasgow, where a mix of converted and new build housing will be created.

North Kelvin Apartments will retain the main 1915 sandstone building, subdividing the space to form 29 flats, with a further 56 new build properties created within the grounds in two separate blocks.

These four-storey additions have been designed by Jewitt & Wilkie Architects and are finished in two-tone brickwork and balconies designed to complement the red sandstone of the former school.

In all 85 homes will be created on the site, ranging from one bed flats through to three-bedroom triplexes, each of which will have an allocated parking space.

A number of redundant school buildings have been identified as being suitable for new housing including the former Strathclyde Public School in Dalmarnock and Golfhill Primary in Dennistoun.

13 Comments

#1 Posted by StyleCouncil on 28 Jan 2019 at 11:51 AM

Horrible. Monumentally horrible.

#2 Posted by HMR on 28 Jan 2019 at 13:03 PM

Next......

#3 Posted by RJB on 28 Jan 2019 at 13:37 PM

Get ken Macrae involved!!!

#4 Posted by TepidMouse on 28 Jan 2019 at 13:44 PM

Fantastic to see these old school buildings being brought back into use as residential. Can we also include the derelict school in Calton next please. With the revitalised Barras area, it should be ripe for development

#5 Posted by boaby wan on 28 Jan 2019 at 13:48 PM

If you are going to make up nonsense about red bricks looking like sandstone, at least get the guy doing the visuals to perpetuate the lie!
I love how the scale, massing and detail ties into the original building, they've really pushed the boat out with this design.

#6 Posted by David on 28 Jan 2019 at 16:10 PM

I think we can all safely say that the new build element isn't the best, but much worse has gone up or been approved in Glasgow over the last few years. In this case, it presents a strong edge to the street, and I'm happy enough to not focus on the design too much if it means we can save a beautiful listed school building.

#7 Posted by Jamie on 28 Jan 2019 at 19:56 PM

If the new build element makes the conversion of the school feasible, then it should be encouraged. Lots of schools across Glasgow are in a near ruinous condition.

#8 Posted by boaby wan on 28 Jan 2019 at 23:00 PM

it's amazing to think that some people think it's fine to pump out this standard of design because it "saves" an old building.
There is no excuse for the level of design presented here, a few hours of work on those elevations could have made a huge difference in the right hands, the second image showing the elevation of the school building beside the end of the new build block shows a serious lack of respect and ability, surely a building in the curtilage of a listed building demands some kind of design?

#9 Posted by rob on 29 Jan 2019 at 09:16 AM

the keyboard warriors on here really need to get over themselves

This is a decent development

Well done J&W

#10 Posted by David on 29 Jan 2019 at 11:28 AM

#8 what is so incredulous about the justification of the new build element's mediocre design relative to the school building renovation? The 'few hours work' on the elevations as you suggested would no doubt increase costs, thus rendering the project no longer fiancially viable.
What alternative would you suggest to renovate this listed building on the at risk register whilst constructing a spectacular new build element? Charge £300,000 for a one bedroom flat in Maryhill?

#11 Posted by keyboard warrior on 29 Jan 2019 at 12:07 PM

#10
I reckon 30mins of reworking the windows, roof line would be a start, at no extra cost to the development! Why do you assume that producing good design would make the project financially unviable?!
It doesn't have to spectacular....but preferably not rubbish.

#12 Posted by boaby wan on 29 Jan 2019 at 12:15 PM

Dear David, at no point have I suggested anything "spectacular" be built here, not sure why the straw man?
A few hours of design work don't need to make a project more expensive or reduce the viability of a project, in fact quite the opposite - it's bizzare having to argue the case for value in design on an architecture focused website! Are you trying to suggest that the proportions and treatment of the elevations couldn't be any better for the same cost? The elevations of the new build don't look as if they are even considered in terms of the existing building, the way the brickwork has been set out, the window opening etc are all things that don't need to add to cost but can certainly add to the design, I guess I must be alone in thinking that good, considered, design doesn't have to be expensive

#13 Posted by cough cough on 29 Jan 2019 at 15:01 PM

#9 i'm with you on this one.
#11 ha ha have you ever timed an architects 30mins....3 weeks later - 'just another tweak'!

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