September 11 2019

NYX Hotels are looking to extend their UK footprint with the selection of a city-centre site at Glasgow’s West Nile Street for their second venture, hot on the heels of confirmation that a site on Edinburgh’s Jeffrey Street would play host to a 132-bed NYX branded hotel.

Revised plans brought forward by George Capital and 3DReid Architects for the 14-storey hotel on the corner of West Nile Street and Bath Street make provision for a rooftop restaurant, street-level bar and a slight reduction in overall room numbers.

Replacing a low-rise unlisted building the amended proposals have been brought forward to meet the needs of NYX and include a redesigned rooftop plant area to minimise encroachment on wider views by setting it back behind louvred screens.

In a planning statement, the architects wrote: “Given the nature of the overall enhancement of the site, retaining active ground-floor use, ensuring the ongoing success of the SEIL and facilitating tourism in Glasgow, the proposal is entirely in line with national, strategic and local planning policy.

“In relation to the design, the proposal has been designed within the context of the surrounding conservation area. This results in something which is sympathetic to the aesthetics of the surrounding architecture is considerate of the conservation area and also increases the attractiveness of the site and its surroundings.”

NYX owner Fattal Hotels also own the Jurys Inn brand.

13 Comments

#1 Posted by Partick Bateman on 11 Sep 2019 at 14:17 PM

My standard response for any Glasgow city centre development these days: nice to see something getting built here but ... THIS!
I'd like to thank the architect for reminding me this is a conservation area; I'd actually forgotten.
The first request from the planning dept should be: Loose the top 4 floors and we can start talking.

#2 Posted by Ross on 11 Sep 2019 at 14:39 PM

I don't see what the problem is with this. We're not in Edinburgh - everything doesn't need to top out at 6 stories. Boring.

This will be a good addition and another building helping to create a burgeoning skyline.

#3 Posted by Charlie_ on 11 Sep 2019 at 15:00 PM

I totally agree with Ross. I don't see how the grandeur of the neighbours would be enhanced one jot by ensuring modern additions are stunted and cowering. If anything i was disappointed to hear that the proposal has already been chopped down at the council's request.

#4 Posted by Partick Bateman on 11 Sep 2019 at 16:50 PM

My objection to the height is more specific to this building, than a general rule.
Although TBH I'm not a big fan of the new glass cuboids popping up across town. I think in this case it's actually more the basic proportions that seem a bit clunky to me. The upper cuboid is far too tall. It's looks like a second building has just been chucked on top, it doesn't look part of the same building. Two upper floors would be better; which I think would still make 11 floors.
Also, I don't think making a building tall, in itself improves the skyline. I don't think the Cineworld or 'People Make Glasgow' building have enhanced it.

#5 Posted by Billy on 11 Sep 2019 at 18:33 PM

Big fan of saving old buildings but there is nothing special about the block to be demolished to make way for this. I too thought it was to be higher . GDC do not appear to like anything to be over 20 storeys now. Is it to protect the Glasgow Tower’s status as the highest building in Glasgow? Never liked the Glasgow tower . Looks like a helicopter has landed on it. Rather disappointing as a tourist attraction. As for this new build . Just more of the same. Can they not put a large sculpture on top visible from the street to give a bit of interest?Oh and please not a helicopter. It has already been done.

#6 Posted by Nairn's Bairn on 12 Sep 2019 at 11:01 AM

While the existing Blue Lagoon / Paddy Power / Iron Horse pub two-storey building is a bit of a waste of a town centre site, this proposal takes it to the opposite extreme. Presumably this has been designed with the aim of conceding a couple of storeys during the Planning process. With the best will in the world, the upper floors will not look like these semi-translucent images, they will have actual shadowy form and make their presence felt.

The height of the Cineworld building should not be taken as directly-comparable precedent – yes it’s high, but it also occupies the whole end of a block so is not directly adjoining historic facades.

Glasgow city centre has always had architectural interest at upper levels – one should always look up to enjoy the architecture – but when it’s lost in the clouds like this then we’re pushing the height, and the economic benefit argument, a little far.

#7 Posted by Ross on 12 Sep 2019 at 11:23 AM

#6 - it's 14 floors, not 140. It's hardly going to be lost in the clouds at that height.

What's there right now is an embarrassment quite frankly - especially so close to Buchanan Street. A 2 storey bunker comprising of a chippy and a dodgy pub that is practically dead every night of the week. Bizarre how people appear to be pining over it as soon as this proposal has come to light.

Another issue is that if the height were to be reduced to 6 floors, the developer would likely not be interested as they wouldn't attract a tenant due to being unable to fit as many rooms in on the site in order for a decent profit to be made.

Can't wait to see what the (over)reaction is if there's ever a 50 storey tower proposed in Glasgow.

#8 Posted by Partick Bateman on 12 Sep 2019 at 15:07 PM

#7 I've gone through the comments again and can't find anyone 'pining over' the chippy or the pub. 'Get rid of it!' seems to be the consensus.
Also, you mention limiting it to 6 floors. Again, nobody has mentioned 6 floors other than you. I mentioned 11 floors, nobody else has stated a preference.
One last thing; you seem to be arguing that an 11 floor building, or even a 6 floor building is not economically viable as they'd loose their tenant and presumably wouldn't be able to find another one. This makes no sense, Glasgow is full of smaller buildings, many of them built in recent years. Even the new office blocks at the end of West George Street, Waterloo Street and the Broomielaw are only around 10 - 11 floors. In fact a new hotel is being planned for Sauchiehall Street (the old Dunnes Store) - 7 floors. I hope #6 is correct and this is part of the negotiation process.

#9 Posted by Mr Concise on 12 Sep 2019 at 15:37 PM

Looks good.

#10 Posted by Ross on 12 Sep 2019 at 15:41 PM

If you look at the other hotels in this brand, every one currently proposed is in the region of 150 rooms in the UK. They wouldn't be able to fit in 150 rooms onto this site had the development been 6 or 11 stories. End of.

As for the pining, I wasn't referencing any of the comments on here but rather the hundreds that have been lodged with the council.

#11 Posted by Chris on 12 Sep 2019 at 17:23 PM

The pub's patrons are trying to save it. But let's face it, the current building needs replacing.

#12 Posted by jimbob tanktop on 13 Sep 2019 at 14:56 PM

#11

You may think it's a nondescript boozer but there are not many places can offer you the chance to sing Blanket On The Ground on a scratchy karaoke machine to a disinterested room of 9 at 11 pm on a Tuesday.

#13 Posted by A Local Pleb on 16 Sep 2019 at 12:29 PM

I don't have a problem with the height / scale but I do with the bland boring proposal which appears to becoming the norm for new developments within the city.
It is also interesting to see in the background the proposed BHS site development...whatever happended to Stallan Brand's proposals for that?

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