May 18 2021

Drum Property Group has begun preparatory works for a 500-bedroom hotel as part of the £300m Candleriggs Square development in Glasgow's Merchant City.

Construction is expected to begin in earnest this July on the first element of the major brownfield regeneration initiative, ending a decades-long saga of dereliction for the prominent city centre site which has lain largely unoccupied since 2002.

The phase one building, designed by Stallan-Brand with Halliday Fraser Munro as delivery architect, is to be owned and operated by The Student Hotel (TSH), specialists in a hybrid hospitality model that also provides spaces for co-living and co-working as well as conference rooms and a fitness centre.

Charlie McGregor, founder and CEO of The Student Hotel, said: “Our pioneering hybrid hospitality model will allow us to configure our new location and adapt it to the rapidly evolving realities of the market. TSH’s model has already proved its resilience in the Covid-19 environment, and we now have the operational expertise to keep our buildings safe, with our well designed extensive common areas ideally suited to the demands of different types of visitors.”

Graeme Bone, managing director of Drum Property Group, adds: “Candleriggs Square is set to become a much-needed catalyst, kick-starting an exciting future for the city centre as it starts to recover following lockdown."

Subsequent phases of construction at the 3.6-acre development will include 346 apartments for the build to rent market which are expected to break ground later in the year.

Candleriggs Square is being delivered as a joint venture with Stamford Property Investments. 

9 Comments

#1 Posted by James Hepburn on 18 May 2021 at 11:20 AM

Another masterpiece in mediocrity from Drum. Hotels like this are ten a penny in Glasgow. Low rate low quality which does little to boost the City's economy.

#2 Posted by Robin B's Discount on 18 May 2021 at 12:01 PM

U wot m8?

You think that a vacant site is better for the economy than a 500 bed hotel?

I imagine you think Sturgeon's unicorn state is a great idea too, and wont impact our standard of living?

#3 Posted by David on 18 May 2021 at 13:44 PM

#1 mediocrity? This has to be one of the best proposals in Scotland from the last few years. I am not a fan of all of Stallan Brand's work, but this mixed use project has been really well developed creating a series of high quality public spaces, high density for the centre of the country's largest city and respects its surroundings well. It is a pity that Scotland's smaller towns and cities cannot follow examples from Glasgow such as this one.

#4 Posted by Jimbob Tanktop on 18 May 2021 at 16:30 PM

#2
Have a day off, maybe a shower. Go for a walk, get some fresh air. Step away from the screens. You can resume tomorrow.

#5 Posted by Billy on 18 May 2021 at 19:40 PM

At last.

#6 Posted by Robin B’s Discount on 18 May 2021 at 21:16 PM

@#4 I’m on it. See you tomorrow when I’m fresh and clean.

#7 Posted by MV on 19 May 2021 at 09:38 AM

#3 high quality, north facing, surrounded by tall buildings, public space? Once it's complete let's go and have a pint in there... with our thermals on in mid-July...

#8 Posted by David on 19 May 2021 at 12:31 PM

#7 Yes high quality public realm, with a considered connection to the surrounding streets and the new buildings within the masterplan. People have been sitting outside bars and restaurants in much colder weather up and down the UK over the last few weeks, the average high in Glasgow in July is 20c.

#9 Posted by Peter on 19 May 2021 at 12:46 PM

#7 Knowing that summer's here usually on Wednesday, what was the last time you didn't take your thermal for a pint? As for the buildings - carry on, we need more Drygate/West/Brewdog alternatives, with proper 4am licence.

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