October 2 2020

NVDC Architects have authored plans fort an infill apartment block within the courtyard of a 1930's fire station, itself previously converted into flats.

LS Homes have identified the site at 25 Mingarry Street in Glasgow's Kelvinside district as suitable for seven apartments, completing the U-plan block by framing the undeveloped south flank.

Previously occupied by a workshop and hall this element of the station was demolished in the 1990s during its conversion to apartments.

In a statement, the architects wrote: "The client's brief is to develop this portion of derelict land and the adjacent vacant units at the southern end of the former fire station's courtyard to create high-quality residential units that add to the vibrancy of the neighbourhood whilst restoring the historic plan of the courtyard.

"Our proposal aims to establish a sense of intimacy and scale within the existing courtyard space that is currently overwhelmed and dominated by the scale of the neighbouring buildings."

The proposed flats will be kept subsidiary to the main block by lowering the height framing an urban courtyard with red brick and metal detailing with integrated private garages and a green roof. 

9 Comments

#1 Posted by The Phantom Architect on 2 Oct 2020 at 11:38 AM

You know you are in an expensive part of town when they want to build flats in a backcourt.

#2 Posted by Charlie_ on 2 Oct 2020 at 12:10 PM

Brings home what a waste of space the neighbouting 'meadow' (sic) is.

#3 Posted by David on 2 Oct 2020 at 17:20 PM

#2 Charlie, I couldn't agree more. Was that meadow built on in the past? WWII bomb damage or 1960s clearances? That corner tenement block looks totally isolated. The quality of the 'meadow' looks pretty terrible, and with the Botanic Gardens across the river, surely it would make sense to complete the urban block in what is one of the most sought after neighbourhoods in Scotland.

#4 Posted by Gandalf the Pink on 3 Oct 2020 at 00:14 AM

#2 & #3...
North Kelvinside Meadow and wildlife garden is a beautiful and integral piece of the West End.
Just because there is another park close by does not equate to a worthy reason to build on a green space.
If you were familiar with the area, the meadow how the community utilises the space and its ecological importance (mature broad leaf trees, wild flowers, bee hives, fruit trees) you would have a very different opinion.

#5 Posted by Peacock on 3 Oct 2020 at 07:19 AM

I wholeheartedly agree with #4. The meadow remains a very important part of the North Kelvinside community. If you have ever been to the botanical gardens on a sunny day you would realise the importance of a quieter, more community centred green space.

For information it used to be a football pitch.

#6 Posted by Graham on 3 Oct 2020 at 14:22 PM

Yet another attempt to make money from the smallest space possible whilst totally ignoring all the properties within 25 Mingarry Street and the surrounding buildings.
Let us be clear here. This proposal is not being built on derelict land. I am sure the owners in 25 Mingarry Street would take exception to an area of their courtyard being described as this.
I cannot help but laugh at the doublespeak being used in the paragraph commencing "our proposal aims." Again let us be clear and accurate here, the existing Victorian tenements were built long before the fire station and are completely in scale with the rest of the west end and indeed Glasgow in general.
No one within the area seems to be aware of this proposal. Has planning permission been sought? Has there been any neighbourhood consultation?
Please be assured we will fight this development tooth and nail.

#7 Posted by Delta on 5 Oct 2020 at 14:02 PM

Has planning permission been sought? As a neighbour, I would like to know what impact this will have on my surrounding space and noise of delivery of 7 flats into basically what is a car park space! Utterly ridiculous idea. The tenements were there well before the fire station so please ensure that neighbours are consulted properly!!

#8 Posted by monkey9000 on 6 Oct 2020 at 09:53 AM

That aerial image highlights the breakdown of the urban fabric along Sanda Street. A well considered continuation to the existing tenement would work wonders along there and could be quite lovely facing onto the Meadow if designed sensitively.

#9 Posted by Gandalf the Pink on 11 Oct 2020 at 20:48 PM

#8
What is probably even more lovely is the childrens forest and nature garden that you'd be ripping up to finish off the 'urban fabric'...

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